China has threatened countermeasures against the European Union over its investigation into Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com's planned takeover of Germany's Ceconomy, the parent company of MediaMarkt and Saturn.
If the EU continues with its investigation, Beijing will respond decisively, China's Ministry of Justice said on Wednesday.
China has also barred organizations and individuals from assisting the EU with certain information requests, accusing Brussels of seeking extensive and unnecessary information from China.
The European Commission has been conducting an in-depth review of the proposed takeover since May. It is examining whether JD.com received Chinese subsidies that could distort competition, including preferential financing, tax breaks and grants. JD.com has rejected the concerns.
JD.com's offer values Ceconomy at around €2.2 billion ($2.6 billion). The Dusseldorf-based group owns electronics retailers MediaMarkt and Saturn.
Germany's Federal Cartel Office has already cleared the takeover. The EU review is separate from the German proceedings.