ZTE said its equipment is safe, and that it will work with the U.S. government and companies to ensure its products are safe.

It is noteworthy that, after a year-long investigation, the Committee rests its conclusions on a finding that ZTE may not be 'free of state influence.' This finding would apply to any company operating in China," said David Dai Shu, ZTE's director of global public affairs, in a statement.

The committee did not challenge ZTE's "fitness" to serve in the U.S. market, ZTE said.