Arabic version: الولايات المتحدة تحدد BYD وعلي بابا كشركات مرتبطة بالجيش الصيني

The United States has officially included several prominent Chinese companies, including the electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and tech giant Alibaba, on a list of firms said to have ties with the Chinese military. The Department of Defense’s list, which aims to inform American businesses of potential risks, does not impose immediate sanctions on the listed companies.

According to BBC News, the Chinese embassy in the US has criticized the list as “discriminatory,” asserting that Chinese firms comply with international laws. Both BYD and Alibaba have denied any military affiliations, with Alibaba’s representatives emphasizing that there is no basis for their inclusion.

The Pentagon’s list, known as Section 1260H, names over 80 Chinese companies engaged in providing services that may support the military. This action could exacerbate existing tensions between the US and China, with analysts suggesting that Beijing might respond with retaliatory measures, including sanctions against American firms.

In addition to BYD and Alibaba, the list includes other significant players such as Baidu, Nio, and Comac. Previous entries included major firms like Tencent and Huawei, which have faced scrutiny over national security concerns. The US has a history of restricting business with companies perceived as security risks, as seen with Huawei in 2019.