In a move that highlights the ongoing struggle for technological supremacy and security, the U.S. Defense Department has justly expanded its list of Chinese companies suspected of having ties to China’s military—this time roping in heavy hitters like Tencent, SenseTime, and the world’s largest battery maker, CATL. Such decisions aren’t made lightly. They underscore a disturbing reality: many Chinese tech giants, regardless of their denial, are too closely linked to the Chinese military apparatus for comfort.
When the U.S. Defense Department labels a company as having military ties, it’s not baseless scaremongering; it’s a necessary measure of national security. These companies’ indignant claims of innocence and threats of legal action against their inclusion on the “Chinese Military Companies” list don’t hold much water. This isn’t about a misunderstanding or an error—it’s about protecting American interests and maintaining our technological edge.
Take Tencent, for instance. It’s not just any company—it’s a titan in the global gaming market and operates WeChat, an app that’s ubiquitous in China and beyond. The idea that such a behemoth has no military ties is hard to swallow when you consider the omnipresence of the CCP in every facet of life and business in China. The same goes for CATL and SenseTime, whose cries of being wrongly accused seem disingenuous at best. They claim that their business operations won’t be affected, yet they scramble to contest these claims vigorously—actions that seem to betray their public statements.
Furthermore, the Pentagon’s identification process is crucial as we navigate the murky waters of technology and defense. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, which prohibits the Defense Department from dealing with these companies starting in June 2026, is a step in the right direction. It sends a clear message that the U.S. will not stand idly by as our potential adversaries attempt to overtake us in critical technological arenas.
What we’re witnessing is a Chinese strategy to blur the lines between civilian and military advancements—a tactic that could have dire consequences for global stability and security. The claims by Chinese officials, like Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who criticize these protective measures as overreach and suppression, are merely attempts to deflect from the real issue: China’s aggressive posture and its ambition to dominate key global industries.
As Americans, we need to support decisive actions that safeguard our national interests. We must continue to distance ourselves from Chinese tech and reduce dependencies that could be exploited at any time. If anything, the actions of these companies and the responses from China’s government only validate the concerns that led to their listing. We need to remain vigilant, firm, and unapologetic in our stance.
