China slaps export controls on US firms ahead of Xi's Washington visit

China has announced a series of economic measures against the United States, including controls on drone exports and a ban on dealings with six American entities.

The move is in response to recent restrictions imposed by Washington.

Tensions are simmering between the world's two biggest economies ahead of an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the US in September.

This comes despite signs of warming ties during his meetings with US President Donald Trump in Beijing in May.

China's Commerce Ministry said the sanctions are a response to recent US moves, including a ban by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on imports of Chinese drones, and a decision by the Department of Homeland Security to add 43 Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act entity list, preventing imports of goods made with forced labour.

The measures "seriously violate the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and severely damage China's legitimate rights and interests," the ministry said in a statement.

"China has no choice but to take necessary countermeasures in response."

Beijing said it was acting with restraint and urged Washington to scrap its measures and cease its "erroneous practices".

It warned of further sanctions if the US rolls out new restrictions against China.