The United States has banned approvals of new telecommunications equipment from China's Huawei Technologies and ZTE, among other Chinese companies, due to national security concerns. 

The rules were adopted by the US Federal Communications Commission unanimously and will also bar the sale or import of equipment made by Chinese surveillance equipment maker Dahua Technology Co, video surveillance firm Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co Ltd and telecoms firm Hytera Communications Corp Ltd.

The news is the latest development of a long-running technological dispute between Washington and Beijing, as US firms demand more government support to reduce reliance on components produced in Chinese factories.

“These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications,” said FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

"The FCC is committed to protecting our national...