Chinese tech companies Tencent and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) have strongly refuted their recent inclusion on the United States Department of Defense’s list of Chinese military-industrial companies.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Tencent declared, “Our inclusion on this list is clearly a mistake. Tencent is neither a military enterprise nor a military supplier. Unlike export controls or other restrictions, this designation has no impact on our business operations. Nonetheless, we will engage with relevant U.S. authorities to resolve this misunderstanding.”
Similarly, CATL stated, “This is an error. The company has no involvement in any military-related activities.”
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously expressed strong opposition to the U.S.’s actions, emphasizing that such measures undermine normal economic and trade cooperation between the two nations.
The U.S. Department of Defense’s list, known as the Section 1260H List, includes companies it alleges have ties to the Chinese military. Inclusion on the list can lead to sanctions and restrictions.
Tencent is one of the world’s largest technology companies, known for its popular messaging app WeChat and various other online services. CATL is a leading manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, especially for electric vehicles.
Both companies maintain that they operate independently of military influence and are focused on serving global markets.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
