China urges U.S. to properly handle trade relations after ZTE settlement

China on Thursday urged the United States to act properly for the healthy development of bilateral trade relations.

Sun Jiwen, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, made the remarks at a news conference, responding to ZTE having reached a settlement with U.S. authorities over U.S. export controls and sanctions charges.

“China has always resolutely opposed U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies using its domestic laws, and required Chinese companies to operate in compliance with local laws and regulations on overseas market.

“We hope the U.S. side will properly handle the issue within the larger picture of Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations.

“So as to create a good atmosphere for the stable and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations,’’ he said.

China’s largest listed telecom equipment maker ZTE said on Tuesday that it had reached a settlement with U.S. authorities over U.S. export controls and sanctions charges” in order to clear unstable factors in the global communications market.”

The Chinese company has agreed to pay a criminal and civil penalty of about 892 million dollars and an additional penalty of 300 million dollars.

The penalty would be suspended for a seven-year probationary period to deter future violations.

U.S. authorities claimed that ZTE and its affiliated entities had illegally shipped telecommunications equipment to certain countries in violation of U.S. regulations.

The U.S. Commerce Department added ZTE on the Entity List under the Export Administration Regulations in March 2016.

It noted that this has made it difficult for ZTE to acquire U.S. products such as chips and software.

According to a ZTE statement, following the settlement, the Bureau of Industry and Security under the U.S. Commerce Department will recommend that ZTE be removed from the list.

ZTE currently holds about 7 per cent of the U.S. smartphone market, the fourth largest after Apple, Samsung and LG.

It currently has 14 offices and six research centres in the U.S., with 80 per cent of the total 350 staff being Americans.