This undated photo shows a logo for Ant Financial, the financial arm of e-commerce giant Alibaba, is seen in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. (PHOTO / VCG)

China opposes the United States' practice to abuse the concept of "national security" to oppress foreign companies, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a daily news briefing.

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The US side should respect market economies and the principle of fair competition, abide global economic and trade rules and provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment, Zhao said.

The Chinese government will continue taking necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights of Chinese companies, he added.

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Media earlier reported the US State Department has submitted a proposal for the Trump administration to add China's Ant Group to a trade blacklist.