U.S. Adds Alibaba, Baidu, BYD to Blacklist of Firms Allegedly Aiding Chinese Military

(CNA, Washington, June 8, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The U.S. Pentagon today released an updated list of Chinese companies it believes are assisting the Chinese military, including e-commerce group Alibaba, internet search engine giant Baidu, and automaker BYD.

According to Reuters, the Pentagon had previously released an updated list in February but later withdrew it. Many of the companies on today's list, including Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD, had appeared on the February list. Bloomberg News reported that this move could exacerbate U.S.-China tensions.

Other newly added companies include biotech firm WuXi AppTec and AI-driven robotics company RoboSense.

This Pentagon list does not formally impose sanctions on the Chinese firms. However, under new regulations, the Pentagon will be barred from signing contracts with or making procurements from the listed companies in the coming years.

The listing also sends a message to Pentagon suppliers and other U.S. government agencies about the U.S. military's view of these enterprises. Some companies have previously sued the U.S. government for being included on such lists. (Compiled by Lu Ying-tzu) 1150609