BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday announced a decision to take countermeasures against six U.S. entities.

These countermeasures, which took effect on Wednesday, were adopted in response to the United States' sanctions against Chinese companies under the pretext of so-called "forced labor," according to the ministry.

The U.S. move seriously violates international law and the basic norms of international relations, and gravely undermines China's sovereignty, security and development interests, the ministry said.

The six U.S. entities subject to the countermeasures are Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., Stratum Reservoir, LLC., Altana Technologies, Inc., Responsible Business Alliance, Verite Group, Inc., and Human Rights in China. They assisted and supported the United States' unlawful Xinjiang-related sanctions, the ministry said in a statement.

Organizations and individuals within China are prohibited from engaging in any transactions, cooperation or other related activities with these six entities, the decision noted.