BEIJING — BGI Group, one of many world’s largest genetics evaluation corporations, stated Sunday it by no means could be concerned in human rights abuses after the U.S. authorities stated there was a hazard a few of its items may contribute to Chinese language surveillance.

Three BGI items had been amongst Chinese language corporations added to an “entity listing” final week that limits entry to U.S. know-how on safety or human rights grounds. The Commerce Division cited a threat BGI know-how may contribute to surveillance. Activists say Beijing is attempting to create a database of genetic info from Muslims and different Chinese language minorities.

The Chinese language authorities accused Washington on Friday of improperly attacking China‘s corporations.

BGI, headquartered within the southern metropolis of Shenzhen, stated its companies are just for civilian and scientific functions.

The U.S. resolution “might have been impacted by misinformation and we’re prepared and in a position to make clear,” BGI Group stated in an emailed response to questions. It did not point out Uyghurs or different Muslim minorities however beforehand has denied it supplied know-how to surveil them.

“BGI Group doesn’t condone and would by no means be concerned in any human-rights abuses,” the corporate stated.

The “entity listing” designation requires BGI Analysis, Forensic Genomics Worldwide and BGI Tech Options (Hongkong) Co., Ltd. to acquire authorities permission to amass delicate U.S. know-how.

Different Chinese language corporations had been cited for his or her position within the ruling Communist Social gathering’s navy modernization or weapons growth by Iran and Pakistan and suspected human rights abuses in Myanmar.

Washington has accused China of attempting to make use of civilian corporations to acquire processor chip, aerospace and different applied sciences with doable navy or safety makes use of.

Beijing retaliated for earlier U.S. restrictions by creating its personal “unreliable entity” listing of overseas corporations which may endanger China’s nationwide sovereignty, safety or growth pursuits.

Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Applied sciences Corp.’s Raytheon Missiles and Protection unit had been added to the restricted listing final month after they equipped weapons to Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by Beijing as a part of its territory. They’re barred from importing items into China or making new investments within the nation.