Beijing: China announced Tuesday it will impose retaliatory measures against five U.S.-based subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean Co., accusing them of cooperating with a U.S. investigation targeting China's maritime and shipbuilding industries.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Chinese commerce ministry claimed Hanwha Ocean's U.S. affiliates assisted and supported the U.S. government's Section 301 investigation and related actions against China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.

The affected firms are Hanwha Shipping LLC, Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc., Hanwha Ocean USA International LLC, Hanwha Shipping Holdings LLC, and HS USA Holdings Corp.

The measures include prohibiting Chinese individuals and organizations from engaging in transactions or cooperation with the U.S. units of Hanwha, according to the statement.