Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the US to choose dialogue with China instead of pursuing unilateral "unacceptable" sanctions.

"We need to replace sanctions with dialogue and consultation," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said today, referring to US sanctions on Chinese companies.

Mr. Wang's statement came after the US confirmed it would add dozens of Chinese companies, including SMIC, the country's top chip maker, to the trade blacklist.

This is seen as the latest move in an attempt by US President Donald Trump to bolster his legacy of tough policies with Beijing, before he leaves office on January 20.

The US-China relationship continues to become strained as the two countries continuously impose sanctions on the opposing officials and companies.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hoa Xuan Oanh on December 8 called the US move "insane, despicable", urged the country to withdraw its sanction decision and vowed to respond strongly.

Washington-Beijing relations are at their lowest level in years because of issues such as Covid-19 origin, Hong Kong, Taiwan security law or trade war.