Several prominent Chinese companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, Wuxi Apptec, and NIO, have issued public statements regarding their inclusion on a list maintained by the US Department of Defense.
Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) announced on the afternoon of June 9 that it had noted the US Department of Defense had added Alibaba Group to its list of Chinese military companies. US defense entities are prohibited from directly or indirectly procuring goods, services, or technology from entities on this list. The company stated that its inclusion on the list is erroneous and without any basis. Alibaba Group clarified that it is not a Chinese military company and is not involved in any military-civil fusion strategy. The company said it would take all feasible legal actions against any attempts to misrepresent its image.
Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) announced on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on June 9 that it had learned the US Department of Defense had issued a notice designating Chinese military companies, under which the Deputy Secretary of Defense had added the company to the list. Baidu stated that, as it is neither a Chinese military company nor a military-civil fusion contributor to China's defense industrial base, it believes there is no justification for its inclusion. The company noted that the list is not a sanctions list and that the associated US government procurement restrictions would not affect its business. It also clarified that the list does not restrict trading of its securities.
Wuxi Apptec (WUXI APPTEC) announced on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on June 9 that it had noted the US Department of Defense had erroneously included the company in an updated formal list of "Chinese military companies" identified under Section 1260H on June 8 (US time). The company stated that the determination to include it on the updated list, along with the so-called basis for the determination, is obviously wrong. Wuxi Apptec said it would immediately take measures to challenge and correct this erroneous determination.
NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO) announced on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on the afternoon of June 9 that it had noted the US Department of Defense had added the company to its "Chinese Military Companies" (CMC) list. NIO believes its listing on the CMC list lacks a proper basis, as the company is neither a Chinese military company nor a contributor to military-civil fusion for China's defense industrial base. The company emphasized that the CMC list is not a sanctions list, and the associated US government procurement restrictions will not affect its business, nor does the list restrict trading of its securities. NIO stated it would actively communicate with the US Department of Defense to rectify the listing, including taking legal action if necessary, to protect the interests of the company and all its shareholders.
Comments