BIS Adds 6 Entities to Entity List for Supporting China's Balloon 'Reconnaissance'

The Bureau of Industry and Security added six Chinese entities to the Entity List last week because of their ties to China’s “High Altitude Balloons'' intelligence and reconnaissance activities. BIS said the aerospace and technology entities support China’s military modernization efforts, particularly the People's Liberation Army’s aerospace programs, including “airships and balloons and related materials and components.” The move came days after the U.S. shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon in U.S. airspace.

China's use of the balloons "violates our sovereignty and threatens U.S. national security,” BIS Undersecretary Alan Estevez said in an emailed statement. "Today’s action makes clear that entities that seek to harm U.S. national security and sovereignty will be cut off from accessing U.S. technologies.” Matt Axelrod, the agency's top export enforcement official, said BIS will "vigilantly monitor and prevent shipments to the listed parties and investigate any efforts to circumvent these restrictions.”

As of Feb. 10, all six entities require a license for all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations. BIS will review license applications under a presumption of denial. All exports that now require a license as a result of the changes that were aboard a carrier to a port as of Feb. 10 may proceed to their destinations under the previous eligibility without a license before March 13, BIS said. Any items not exported by midnight March 13 will require a license.

The new Entity List additions are:

• Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd.
• China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute
• Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology Co., Ltd.
• Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd. (EMAST)
• Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology Co., Ltd.
• Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd.