China urges U.S. to abandon discriminatory practices

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Thursday urged the United States to abandon discriminatory practices against Chinese enterprises.

Hong's remarks came after U.S. President Barack Obama signed a spending bill on Tuesday that will bar some U.S. government agencies from purchasing information technology systems made by Chinese companies linked to the government.

Hong said the bill, created on the pretext of boosting cyber security, adopts discriminatory practices toward Chinese companies and is harmful to China-U.S. mutual trust as well as bilateral trade relations.

"We hope the U.S. side could get rid of such a move and do more things that will promote the development of bilateral ties and mutual trust," said Hong.