China has started a dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against US restrictions on the export of semiconductors which, according to Beijing, threaten global supplies, the Ministry of Commerce indicated.

It should be recalled that the US in October announced new export controls aimed at limiting the Asian giant's ability to buy and produce high-tech chips with military applications.

The WTO dispute wants to defend China's "legitimate rights and interests," the ministry said in a statement, urging Washington to "abandon zero-sum thinking."