China seeks Asian neighbors' support in trade fight with US

China is seeking support from Russia and from its Central Asian neighbours in its escalating tariff fight with the U.S., while also stepping up protests against moves to penalize its technology sector.

Speaking Wednesday at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Kyrgyzstan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said representatives of the eight-nation grouping had expressed "broad support" for China's position.

In comments reported Thursday, Wang reiterated China's stance that it would never accept unequal trading arrangements.

Beijing will match "extreme pressure" from the U.S. with its own measures, he said in remarks posted on the ministry's website.

The trade frictions have "aroused great concern from the international community," Wang said.

"I stress to everyone that China's actions are not just about preserving our own legitimate rights and interests but also to maintain the norms of international relations and safeguard the international free trading system."
This "not only seriously disrupts regular business cooperation between the sides' enterprises, but also seriously threatens the security of the global industrial supply chain."