US has flagged Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD as companies that are allegedly supporting China’s military

The US has included Alibaba, Baidu, BYD, and several other Chinese companies on its military-linked list, despite firm denials from these firms.

The United States has included several of China’s largest technology and manufacturing companies, such as Alibaba Group, Baidu, BYD, and NIO, on a Pentagon list of firms it suspects are aiding China’s military.

The updated list, released on Monday, supersedes an earlier version issued in 2025 and follows closely after US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where both leaders upheld a delicate trade truce.

Referred to as the 1260H or Chinese Military Companies list, this designation highlights Washington’s apprehensions regarding the involvement of significant Chinese firms in enhancing Beijing’s military and industrial strengths.

The most recent update features memory chip manufacturers CXMT and YMTC; the biotechnology company WuXi AppTec; robotics firms RoboSense Technology and Unitree; along with a number of other technology companies.

Alibaba dismissed the designation, asserting that there was “no basis” for its inclusion.

“Alibaba is neither a Chinese military company nor involved in any military-civil fusion strategy.” “We will pursue all available legal avenues in response to any attempts to misrepresent our company,” the company stated.

WuXi AppTec also contested the decision, labeling its inclusion as erroneous.

The company stated it would “take immediate actions to challenge and correct this erroneous designation.”

Baidu also refuted any connections to the military.

The claim that Baidu operates as a military company is completely unfounded. “We will explore every avenue at our disposal to ensure the company is removed from the list,” stated the company.

China’s embassy in Washington condemned the actions of the US, alleging that Washington is unjustly singling out Chinese businesses.

“The U.S. must cease its unjust practices and foster a fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies,” stated an embassy spokesperson.

The Pentagon stated that the firms mentioned met the criteria for designation as “Chinese military companies” and were active in the United States. It stated that companies possess the right to request removal from the list.

Several firms were taken off the updated register, including two entities associated with the state-owned oil giant China National Offshore Oil Corporation, while other affiliates were included.

John Moolenaar, Chairman of the US House Select Committee on China, stated that the updated list should act as a cautionary message to American businesses and government entities.

“These Chinese companies are collaborating with the Chinese military in opposition to our national interests,” he stated.

The action is expected to introduce new tension into the relationship between Washington and Beijing as both nations persist in their competition for technological and strategic dominance.