The list of unreliable entities will be released in the near future, Gao Feng, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.
Chinese and US negotiating teams have been maintaining communications with each other and had a phone call on August 13, said Gao.
The two sides agreed to speak on phone again within two weeks, Gao added.
The US is set to impose new tariffs on some Chinese imports starting Sept 1, which, according to Gao, will create challenges for the Chinese economy, but the impact will be controllable.
Gao warned any new tariffs would lead to an escalation of economic and trade frictions. And China will have to fight back if the US carries out the move, he said.