BEIJING - China firmly opposes the EU's protectionist move to limit Chinese medical device firms from participating in major EU public procurement tenders, the Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

The statement came in response to the EU member states' decision to block Chinese companies from participating in public procurement tenders in the medical device sector for contracts valued over 5 million euros (about $5.72 million) under the bloc's International Procurement Instrument.

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The plan, reportedly approved on Monday, would prohibit Chinese firms from bidding on such contracts for a five-year period.

The EU's decision and discriminatory measures harm the interests of Chinese enterprises, and also undermine fair competition and set up new trade barriers through unilateral tools, the ministry noted, stressing that China firmly opposes such a protectionist move.

The global economic order is facing severe challenges from unilateralism and protectionism, the ministry said.

As responsible major economies, China and the EU should adhere to WTO rules, uphold the principles of fairness, transparency and non-discrimination, address challenges through mutual openness, and resolve differences through cooperative dialogue to jointly safeguard the healthy development of China-EU economic and trade relations, the ministry added.

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It is hoped that the EU will rectify its misguided approach, the ministry said, stressing that China will closely monitor the EU's subsequent actions and take necessary measures to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.