US adds Alibaba, Baidu, BYD to military support list
The Pentagon has added tech giants Alibaba and Baidu, along with EV maker BYD and robotics firm Unitree, to a list of companies supporting China's military. The designation, part of the 1260H list, increases the likelihood of US restrictions on business with these entities and escalates US-China tensions. The companies have denied the allegations.
Key points
- The US Department of Defense added Alibaba, Baidu, BYD, and Unitree to its "1260H list" of companies it claims aid China's military.
- This designation expands the list to 188 companies involved in China's military-civil fusion strategy.
- The move raises the possibility of US companies facing restrictions on doing business with the newly listed entities.
- The Pentagon plans to prohibit contracts with these companies starting June 30, 2026, with indirect bans to follow.
- Alibaba and Baidu have vehemently denied the accusations, stating they are not military companies and will pursue available options for removal.
- This action is expected to further strain US-China relations.
The United States Department of Defense has officially added four prominent Chinese companies—Alibaba, Baidu, BYD, and Unitree—to its "1260H list." This list identifies entities the Pentagon alleges are supporting the military-civil fusion strategy of the People's Republic of China.
The expansion brings the total number of companies on the list to 188. The designation does not impose immediate sanctions but significantly increases the likelihood of future restrictions on US companies engaging in business with these firms. According to the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the Department of Defense is set to ban direct contracts with listed entities by June 30, 2026, followed by indirect contract prohibitions a year later.
This latest update to the 1260H list follows a brief, unexplained withdrawal of a similar filing in February. Tech giants Alibaba and Baidu, along with electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and robotics company Unitree, have strongly refuted the Pentagon's claims. Spokespersons for Alibaba and Baidu categorically denied being military companies or part of any military-civil fusion strategy, vowing to take all available legal actions to contest their inclusion. The move is anticipated to further escalate economic and diplomatic tensions between the United States and China.
Sources
The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.