Chinese companies hit with US trade restrictions over spy balloon incident

By: asiaone.com

May 10 2024
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Chinese companies hit with US trade restrictions over spy balloon incident — Chinese companies hit with US

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration added 37 Chinese entities to a trade restriction list on May 9, including some for allegedly supporting the spy balloon that flew over the US in 2023, heightening tensions between Beijing and Washington.

The Commerce Department also said it was adding some units of China Electronics Technology Group to the list for allegedly trying to obtain American technology to support China's quantum technology capabilities, "which has serious ramifications for US national security" due to their military applications.

Media have said state-owned China Electronics Technology Group is a top military equipment supplier.

China Electronics Technology Group could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The moves announced on May 9 show the Biden administration is continuing to punish Beijing over the spy balloon, which drifted over the US in February 2023, fuelling political outrage in Washington and prompting State Department Secretary Antony Blinken to cancel a trip to China.