HONG KONG Chinese e-retailer Temu said on Wednesday it has been the target of rival Shein's "unlawful exclusionary tactics" since Temu's launch in 2022.

Temu filed a new lawsuit accusing Shein of violating U.S. antitrust laws on Friday. In a statement sent to Reuters on Wednesday, the company said it had to take legal measures to defend its and its merchants' rights due to "escalating attacks" from Shein.

(Reporting by Josh Ye; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)