Chinese Balloon Row: As part of its retaliation over an alleged Chinese “spy” balloon that crossed the country’s airspace, the United States blacklisted six Chinese entities allegedly linked to Beijing’s aerospace programs. According to reports, the blacklisted entities include five companies and a research institute.
These six institutions are Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology Company, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute, Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology Company, Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Company, Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Jiang Aviation Technology Company and. Shanxi Eagles Main Aviation Science and Technology Group Co.
The economic barriers come after the Biden administration’s pledge to consider more measures to combat Chinese surveillance activities, which will make it more challenging for these entities to obtain US technology exports.
Diplomatic dispute with China likely to intensify due to America’s move
The move is likely to further escalate the diplomatic standoff between the US and China, triggered by the downing off the Carolina coast late last week. The US said the balloon was equipped to detect and collect intelligence signals, but Beijing says it was a weather vehicle that flew in the right direction.
The incident prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to abruptly cancel a high-stakes trip to Beijing aimed at reducing tensions.
The US Bureau of Industry and Security said the six entities were being “targeted for supporting China’s military modernization efforts, particularly the aerospace programs of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) including airships and balloons.” It said, “The PLA is using High Altitude Balloons (HABs) for intelligence and reconnaissance activities.”
US pledges to use such sanctions to protect its security
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves said his department “will not hesitate to continue using such sanctions and other regulatory and enforcement tools” to “protect US national security and sovereignty.”
Earlier on Friday, February 10, a US military fighter jet shot down another “unidentified object” while flying off the far north coast of Alaska. According to White House officials, the object was shot down on the orders of President Joe Biden.
(with inputs from AP)