China Responds to 'DeepSeek' Exclusion: We Will Not Abandon the Rights of Our Companies

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday that Beijing consistently opposes "overstretching the concept of national security" and politicizing science, technology, economic, and trade issues, in response to Washington's ban on the use of "DeepSeek" products in government agencies.

Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning added during a regular press briefing that China "will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," according to a report by the Global Times.

Mao's remarks came after the US Department of Homeland Security issued a notice excluding "DeepSeek" products from civilian agency procurement and requiring their removal from their systems.

The statements were limited to China's stance on linking national security with tech and trade issues, without announcing specific new measures.

What do these terms mean?

National Security: A concept by which a state refers to protecting its security, sovereignty, and vital interests, and is sometimes used as a basis for restricting commercial and technical transactions.

Politicization of Technology: Treating technology issues as tools of political conflict between nations, rather than addressing them according to market rules and commercial trade.

Government Procurement: Contracts entered into by official entities to purchase products and services, which are often subject to specific security and transparency rules.