China appeals to US not to misuse security concerns to hamper investment activity

China appealed to Washington on Tuesday not to misuse security concerns to hamper business activity after US President Donald Trump signed a law that expands the jurisdiction of an investment review panel. The law signed on Monday expands the authority of a government security panel to scrutinize foreign investments. It was prompted by complaints that Chinese companies were taking advantage of gaps in US law and improperly obtaining technology and possibly sensitive information, AP said. The US “should treat Chinese investors objectively and fairly and avoid making a national security review an obstacle to Chinese-US enterprises’ investment cooperation,” the Commerce Ministry said. The US security panel, known as CFIUS, reviews foreign acquisitions of American assets for possible security threats. Other governments including Germany and Britain are also uneasy about rising Chinese investment.