The U.S. government made headlines recently when it quickly retracted a list of Chinese companies that had been accused of supporting Beijing’s military. This happened just one hour after the list was released to the public on February 13.
The list, called the Pentagon’s 1260H list, included well-known companies like Alibaba and Baidu, as reported by Reuters. However, after an urgent request from the relevant agency, the link was replaced with a notice stating the document had been withdrawn. So far, no official explanation has been given for this swift change.
An editorial note from the Federal Register indicated that the withdrawal request came shortly after the list was made available for public inspection.
### Overview of the Blacklist Changes
The updated list included some of China’s most recognizable names. Besides Alibaba and Baidu, the list added BYD, a significant player in the electric vehicle market and a competitor to Tesla. Other companies included were WuXi AppTec, a major biotechnology firm, and RoboSense, known for its advancements in AI-driven robotics.
Previously, the list also featured giants like Tencent Holdings and CATL, key players in the tech and electric vehicle battery sectors. An Alibaba representative strongly denied the company’s inclusion, stating they are neither a military firm nor involved in any military collaborations. They even hinted at potential legal action.
On the other hand, YMTC, a maker of memory chips, was removed from this updated list. While being named on such a list does not automatically lead to sanctions, it carries a significant stigma. According to Reuters, a new law has been passed that will prevent the Pentagon from entering contracts or purchasing goods from any company listed.
