The US Defense Department lists Alibaba, BYD, and Baidu as Chinese military-linked firms on its 1260H list, just before the Trump-Xi summit, sparking denials and legal threats amid US-China tech tensions.
The United States Department of Defense has added major Chinese firms including e-commerce giant Alibaba and electric vehicle maker BYD to its list of companies allegedly linked to China‘s military, just weeks before a planned summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Pentagon submitted an updated “Chinese Military Companies” list — known as the 1260H list — to the Federal Register on Friday, but withdrew it abruptly at its own request without explanation. A defense official indicated the revised version, which also targets search engine Baidu, will appear next week.
Mandated by Congress, the list identifies firms Washington accuses of direct ties to the People’s Liberation Army or involvement in China’s military-civil fusion strategy, which mandates technology sharing with the military. While inclusion rarely imposes immediate penalties, it harms reputations and foreshadows potential curbs.
Key additions and impacts
Biotech firm WuXi AppTec faces heightened risks under the Biosecure Act, passed in December, which prohibits US government dealings with listed biotech entities. The update also includes AI robotics company RoboSense and display maker BOE Technology.
Surprisingly, memory chipmakers CXMT and YMTC were removed, puzzling experts who questioned the clearance.
Alibaba’s listing stems from US intelligence claims of technical aid to Chinese military ops and data access for Beijing; the firm vehemently denied this, insisting it plays no role in military strategies. Baidu and BYD similarly dismissed the allegations as baseless and vowed legal challenges.
The timing, ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, signals brewing US-China frictions over tech and security.
Published: 14 Feb 2026, 02:59 pm IST
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