(Reuters] -If Chinese companies violate U.S. sanctions against Russian exports, they may lose access to American technology and software that is needed to produce their goods. Gina Raimondo, U.S. Commerce Secretary told The New York Times.

Raimondo, in an interview on Tuesday said that the U.S. could “essentially shut down” Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. or Chinese companies who defy U.S. sanction by continuing to provide advanced technology to Russia.

Washington threatens to list companies on a blacklist for violating new Russian export restrictions. This is as Washington intensifies its efforts to protect a wide range of technologies from the nation that invaded Ukraine last year.

Raimondo said that the United States could find out that SMIC had sold its chips to Russia.

SMIC didn’t immediately reply to our request for comment.

In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesman said China opposed any unilateral sanctions and curbs by the United States, and urged that Washington’s policy towards Ukraine and Russia “should not harm China’s rights and interests”.

Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson, stated at a news conference that China would take every necessary measure to defend individuals’ and businesses’ rights.