US Includes BYD and Others in List of Companies with Alleged Military Ties
US adds BYD to list of firms – The U.S. has included prominent Chinese companies, such as Alibaba and BYD, in a list highlighting potential military connections. This move by the Department of Defense seeks to inform American businesses about the risks associated with partnerships involving these firms. However, being added to the list does not equate to an immediate ban on their operations.
The Chinese embassy in the U.S. described the list as “discriminatory,” asserting that firms from China have fully adhered to the laws of host countries. The BBC has reached out to several entities on the list, including BYD and Baidu, to gather further insights.
Alibaba Disputes Inclusion
An Alibaba representative stated that there is “no basis” for the company’s inclusion. The Pentagon’s list, formally called Section 1260H, features over 80 “Chinese military companies” providing commercial services for U.S. operations. According to the list, Alibaba and BYD are linked to Chinese defense activities through a military-civil fusion model.
“We are not a Chinese military company nor part of any military-civil fusion strategy,” said the Alibaba spokesperson. “We will pursue all legal avenues to counter misrepresentation of our business.”
Other firms listed include Baidu, Nio, and Comac. Previously added companies like Tencent, Huawei, DJI, and CATL remain on the list. The inclusion underscores ongoing scrutiny of Chinese tech firms’ ties to national defense initiatives.
