The US Commerce Department last month blocked American firms from selling parts or providing services to ZTE until 2025. Washington accused ZTE of violating US sanctions on North Korea and Iran and then lying to US officials. ZTE Corporation, a prominent Chinese telecommunications company with close links to the PLA and sells millions of phones in the US, has since halted "major operating activities".  Last month ZTE, which denies it did not take corrective action, said it expected its business to be "severely impacted" by the sanctions and its stock halted trading on the Hong Kong exchange April 16.