Washington DC, July 18 -- Two senior Republican lawmakers have urged the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to consider restricting Chinese companies listed on American stock exchanges from accessing US capital markets, arguing that such measures are necessary to safeguard the country's economy, investors and national security.

According to a press release issued by the House Select Committee on China, the request was made in a letter sent by Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar and Senator Rick Scott to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins.

The lawmakers called on the SEC to examine the authorities already available under existing US law to limit the ability of companies identified as linked to China's military from raising f...