The United States added 37 Chinese entities to a trade blacklist on May 9, including some companies accused of supporting a suspected spy balloon that flew over U.S. soil last year. The Commerce Department said it also took aim at those that sought to acquire U.S. goods to advance China's quantum technology capabilities. "These activities have substantial military applications and pose a significant threat to U.S. national security," said the Commerce Department in a statement. Companies added to the so-called "entity list" are restricted from obtaining U.S. items and technologies without government authorisation. The latest additions over China's "high altitude balloon program" come after the Commerce Department added six Chinese entities to the trade restriction list in February 2023 over the balloon incident.

Source: The Hindu May 11, 2024 01:05 UTC