China firmly opposed the United States' plan to prohibit Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles on American roads and called for the withdrawal of relevant restrictive measures, the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

Over the years, the US has resorted to a series of protectionist measures against Chinese automotive products, including imposing hefty tariffs on Chinese automobiles, restricting participation in government procurement and introducing discriminatory subsidy policies, the ministry reports.

Now the US has proposed restrictions on the implementation of Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles on unfounded grounds of the so-called national security, the ministry added.

These US actions have no factual basis and violate the principles of the market economy and fair competition, representing a typical protectionist approach that severely impacts normal China-US cooperation in the connected vehicle sector, the ministry said.

The US measures also disrupt and distort the global automotive industry supply chain, ultimately harming the interests of American consumers, the ministry added.

China urges the US to stop its wrongful actions, stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies, and will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, the ministry said.

wangkeju@chinadaily.com.cn