China accused the United States of “bullying” on Saturday after Washington announced export controls on dozens of Chinese firms over their alleged ties to the nation’s military.

The announcement by the US comes in the final weeks of Donald Trump’s presidency as the relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated under his administration. Under Trump’s tenure, the US has started a trade war with China and has sanctioned a few companies, subsidiaries, and lawmakers as well. 

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On Friday, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the designations, which restrict US companies’ abilities to do business with the firms, are over an array of charges including human rights abuses in China and the activities of the Chinese military — particularly in the South China Sea — as well as theft of US technology.

China said it “firmly opposes” the move by the US that will affect the country’s biggest chipmaker, SMIC, the commerce ministry said, and vowed to “take necessary measures” to safeguard Chinese companies’ rights.

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Accusing the US of “abusing export controls and other measures to continuously suppress” foreign entities, China urged it to “stop unilateralism and bullying.” 

SMIC has received billions of dollars in support from Beijing and is at the heart of its efforts to improve the country’s technological self-sufficiency.

The designation means US companies must apply for a licence before exporting to SMIC, and specifically targets the Chinese firm’s ability to acquire materials for producing chips of 10 nanometres or smaller, the best class in the industry.