China Condemns FCC Expansion of Technology Covered List

The People's Daily, a state-run publication of the Communist Party of China, condemned the United States for expanding the Federal Communications Commission's Covered List. The publication characterized the measures as "unilateral bullying" and "discriminatory suppression" aimed at Chinese firms and products, arguing that these restrictions distort market-economy rules and principles of fair competition.

While the Federal Communications Commission did not explicitly name China in its latest update, the restrictions target power inverters and robotics—sectors where Chinese companies maintain significant market share. The U.S. government has utilized the Covered List since 2021 to restrict the authorization of equipment from foreign entities deemed risks to national security.

The scope of these curbs has evolved over five years, moving from initial restrictions on telecommunications and surveillance equipment to drones, routers, and testing labs. The most recent expansion now includes green energy and smart manufacturing, a move the People's Daily claims will ultimately backfire on Washington.