SHANGHAI: China said on Sunday it "resolutely opposes" the addition of 23 Chinese entities to a US economic blacklist over issues including alleged human rights abuses and military ties.

The Ministry of Commerce said in a statement the inclusion of the Chinese entities was a "serious breach of international economic and trade rules" and an "unreasonable suppression" of Chinese companies.

Beijing "will take necessary measures to safeguard China's legitimate rights and interests," it said, citing a spokesperson.

The US Department of Commerce said on Friday it had added 14 companies and other entities to its economic blacklist.

Entities included on the economic blacklist are generally required to apply for licenses from the Commerce Department and face tough scrutiny when they seek permission to receive items from US suppliers.

Washington also added five entities it said directly support China's military modernisation programmes related to lasers and battle management systems. It identified a further four entities for "exporting and attempting to export items" to entities already sanctioned by the US

Wuhan Raycus Fiber Laser Technologies Co, one of the added entities, said in an

exchange filing on Sunday that its inclusion on the economic blacklist would not have a substantial impact on its research and production.

In 2019, the Commerce Department under then-president Donald Trump targeted 20 Chinese public security bureaus and eight companies including video surveillance firm Hikvision , as well as leaders in facial recognition technology SenseTime Group Ltd and Megvii Technology Ltd, over "China's treatment of Muslim minorities".—Reuters