U.S. Adds Chinese Tech Giants Including BYD, Baidu, and Alibaba to 'Military-Related' List
On Monday, the United States added China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, internet search engine Baidu, and automaker BYD to a so-called "military-related" company list.
According to Reuters, this long-anticipated updated list replaces the one released in early 2025 and now includes numerous top-tier Chinese technology firms crucial to enhancing Beijing’s military and industrial capabilities, reflecting Washington’s security concerns amid intense geopolitical competition between the two countries.
In addition to Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD, newly added companies include biotechnology firm WuXi AppTec, AI-driven robotics company RoboSense Technology Co Ltd, and leading humanoid and quadruped robot manufacturer Unitree Robotics.
Additionally, telecom equipment manufacturer Baicells has also been included in the list. Reuters previously reported that the company was investigated last year by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Commerce.
The Pentagon stated in its submitted documents that the listed companies “meet the criteria for designation as Chinese military companies” and conduct business in the United States. Furthermore, the Pentagon added that these companies may apply for removal from the list. Under U.S. law, such filings must be submitted at least once annually.
Meanwhile, some companies have been removed from the list, including two entities under CNOOC — CNOOC China Ltd and CNOOC International Trading. However, CNOOC subsidiary China BlueChemical Limited has been added to the list. U.S. government documents state that CNOOC is directly controlled by the Chinese government.
The report notes that sometimes companies are removed not because the U.S. determines they are unrelated to China’s military, but because they no longer operate in the United States or because their corporate names have changed.
Reuters said that although this list does not formally impose sanctions on Chinese companies, under recently enacted U.S. laws, starting later this month, the Department of Defense will be prohibited from directly contracting with companies on the list, and beginning in 2027, purchasing their products or services through third parties will also be banned.
The Chinese Embassy in the United States stated that Beijing opposes “the creation of discriminatory lists aimed at suppressing Chinese enterprises,” emphasizing that Chinese companies comply with local laws and regulations. The embassy spokesperson said: “The U.S. should stop its erroneous practices and create a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese enterprises.”
A spokesperson for WuXi AppTec told Reuters that being listed “is clearly an error,” and the company will immediately take action to “correct this misclassification.”
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson previously stated that for a long time, the U.S. has broadly defined national security, abused export control measures, and suppressed and contained enterprises in other countries, seriously damaging the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, undermining the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains, and obstructing global economic recovery and development. China urges the U.S. to immediately halt these wrong actions and will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
Source: sputniknews
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867477926689804/
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