US adds six Chinese entities linked to ‘spy balloon’ programme to export blacklist

The Biden administration added six Chinese entities to an export blacklist on Friday, saying they were linked to Beijing’s suspected surveillance balloon programme.

The Commerce Department said it added the five companies and one research institute for supporting “China’s military modernisation efforts, specifically the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) aerospace programmes including airships and balloons”.

The entities include Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute.

Earlier this week, the United States said it would consider taking action against any entities connected to China’s military that supported the flight of a Chinese spy balloon into US airspace last week.

The Biden administration on Friday also added Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology, Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group, Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology and Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group.

The Chinese embassy in Washington, Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology Co and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute did not immediately respond to requests for comment.