US puts Tencent, CATL on list of 'Chinese military companies'

The US Department of Defense has added Chinese technology giant Tencent and battery manufacturer CATL to its list of companies it alleges are collaborating with the Chinese military.

Tencent at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, China, July 6-7, 2023 - Photo: REUTERS

According to AFP, Tencent and CATL have been added to the US list of Chinese military companies operating in the United States.

Reuters, citing newly released documents from January 6, reported that the list also includes chipmaker Changxin Memory Technologies, drone manufacturer Autel Robotics, and Quectel Wireless.

Tencent is one of China's leading technology companies, owning the "super app" WeChat and involved in various fields including gaming, content streaming, and cloud services.

CATL is also a major company, producing more than one-third of the electric vehicle batteries sold worldwide. These have been used in models from a range of international manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai.

A Tencent spokesperson stated that the inclusion of the company on the list was "clearly a mistake" and that "we are not a military company or supplier."

He said: "Unlike sanctions or export controls, this list does not affect our business operations. However, we will work with the U.S. Department of Defense to resolve any misunderstandings."

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2021 requires the U.S. Secretary of Defense to identify Chinese military companies operating directly or indirectly in the U.S. and submit a list to Congress.

This list does not have a direct legal impact on the companies included, but it may affect their reputation.

The move expanded the U.S. Department of Defense's "list of Chinese military companies" to 134, including 57 entities and their subsidiaries. This is part of Washington's efforts to counter Beijing's "military-civil fusion" strategy, according to the South China Morning Post.

The United States views China as its main rival. For many years, Washington has implemented measures targeting technology companies due to national security concerns and fears that technology could be used by Beijing for military purposes.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/my-dua-tencent-catl-vao-danh-list-cong-ty-quan-su-trung-quoc-20250107070045647.htm