The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

China has added 23 foreign entities, including Dedrone by Axon, TechInsights Inc. and its 9 subsidiaries, to its unreliable entity list, effective from Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced Thursday.

The decision was made to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, in accordance with relevant laws, read an announcement statement released by the MOFCOM on Thursday, adding that this announcement shall take effect as of the date of promulgation.

According to the appendix released by the MOFCOM, the foreign entities included in the unreliable entity list are: Dedrone by Axon, DZYNE Technologies, Elbit Systems of America LLC, Epirus Inc., AeroVironment Inc., Exelis Inc., Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC, BAE Systems Inc., Teledyne FLIR LLC, VSE Corporation, Cubic Global Defense, Recorded Future Inc., Halifax International Security Forum, as well as TechInsights Inc. and its 9 branches.

Meanwhile, the ministry will prohibit the aforementioned entities from engaging in import and export activities related to China, prohibit the aforementioned entities from making new investments within China, and prohibit organizations and individuals within China from engaging in transactions, cooperation, or other activities with the aforementioned entities, particularly transmitting data or providing sensitive information to them.

Also on Thursday, a spokesperson for MOFCOM, when asked about China's renewed invocation of the unreliable entity list to impose sanctions on foreign entities, stated that in recent years, despite strong opposition from China, foreign entities, such as Dedrone by Axon, TechInsights Inc. and its branches,  have engaged in so-called "military technical cooperation" with the island of Taiwan, published malicious remarks about China, and helped foreign governments suppress Chinese enterprises, seriously undermining China's national sovereignty, security, and development interests. 

"In accordance with relevant laws, and pursuant to Article 2 of the provisions on the unreliable entity list and other provisions, China has lawfully held these foreign entities accountable for their illegal actions," said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson also stressed that China has always handled the unreliable entity list issues prudently, targeting only a very small number of foreign entities that endanger its national security. 

"Law-abiding foreign entities have no cause for concern. The Chinese government, as always, welcomes enterprises from around the world to invest and operate in China and is committed to providing a stable, fair, and predictable business environment for compliant foreign-invested enterprises operating in China," said the spokesperson.

Global Times