An undated photo shows an exhibition booth of ZTE Corp. in the United States. [File Photo: huanqiu.com]

The US Commerce Department has granted Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE another extension of the temporary general license to allow US companies to continue doing business with ZTE.

According to a notice published by the Commerce Department in the Federal Register on August 19, the department will give another 3-month temporary general license until November 28 to ZTE and its affiliate ZTE Kangxun.

ZTE says the further extension of interim relief will let it continue serving customers, partners and suppliers in the United States, and the company is looking forward to investing in other global technology economies.

On March 7, the Commerce Department announced its decision to impose export restrictions on ZTE and three affiliated entities for alleged violation of U.S. export controls on Iran, which was strongly opposed by the Chinese government.

On March 22, the Commerce Department offered ZTE and ZTE Kangxun a 3-month relief from the export restrictions, which was later extended to August 30.

The department said the temporary license could be renewed if ZTE and ZTE Kangxun cooperate with the US government department in resolving the matter.

So far, ZTE has 14 offices and 6 research centers in the US, with 80 percent of its 350 staff being Americans. Meanwhile, it holds nearly 7 percent of the US smartphone market, making it the fourth largest manufacturer in the country.