China opposes another ban on its mobile applications in India and calls on New Delhi to stop discriminating against Chinese companies on the grounds of the national security, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.

“Such actions violate market principles and WTO rules, seriously harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, we strongly oppose this,” he told reporters.

The spokesman noted that Beijing always asks Chinese companies to comply with international and local standards and rules when doing business abroad.

“According to market principles, the Indian government is responsible for protecting the legitimate rights and interests of international investors, including Chinese companies,” he said.

In this context, the spokesman called on India to “immediately correct its discriminatory actions and avoid further damage to bilateral cooperation.”

On November 24, the Indian authorities blocked access to 43 Chinese mobile applications claiming that they damage the security and public order of India. Banned apps include AliSuppliers, AliExpress and Alipay Cashier, all from the Chinese Alibaba Group consortium. Also included in the list are various dating apps.

On a previous occasion, last September, India blocked access to 118 Chinese applications, including the popular PUBG Mobile video game. In June and July, 106 other Chinese-designed apps were banned in India, including TikTok, Weibo, WeChat and Baidu Search.

Tensions between India and China escalated last May after some 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers clashed in the Ladakh border region in the Pangong Tso(Pangong Lake) area.

The violence caused more than 100 injuries on both sides and stopped after a meeting of local leaders. The last incident occurred in September.

Both nations deployed additional troops in the area, India up to 50,000 soldiers and as many China.