US blacklists China's biggest consumer drone maker DJI for having links with PLA

US Department of Defense (DoD) has ded Shenzhen-based DJI Technology,  world’s largest manufacturer of consumer drones, to a blacklist of Chinese companies that Washington deems to be connected to Beijing’s military, along with a dozen or hi-tech firms.  DoD ded drone firm and a dozen or hi-tech firms to its blacklist under National Defence Authorisation Act on October 5, 2022. initial list, which included Huawei and Hikvision, was released in 2021.

Pentagon’s blacklist ditionally includes an array of or high-tech companies affiliated with DJI. se include China’s largest genomics firm, BGI Genomics, and China State Construction Group, an infrastructure giant.  

Washington limits business ties with Chinese companies  

Pentagon's statement comes after Washington introduced a spate of limitations on US business ties with Chinese companies amid concerns that such relations may ultimately support growth and modernisation of China’s People’s Liberation Army. Earlier, in December 2020, US Department of Commerce h placed Da Jiang Innovations on its “Entity List,” which requires would-be US business partners to obtain a special license before doing business with company allegedly having links with Chinese military.  

decision was followed by a decision of US Department of Interior (DoI) to clear DJI drones for government use in June 2021 after a lengthy audit. Following this, Pentagon h issued anor statement on July 23, 2021 warning that systems produced by Da Jiang Innovations (DJI) posed a potential threat to US national security.

Pentagon may d or companies to list  

In its statement, US Department of Defense furr reiterated that “Department is determined to highlight and counter People’s Republic of China (PRC) Military-Civil Fusion strategy,” which it claims supports modernization goals of China’s PLA. 

US DoD furr alleged that such Chinese companies ensure access of China's PLA to vanced technologies while expertise are acquired and developed by Chinese companies, universities, and research programs that appear to be civilian entities. Clarifying its intentions, Pentagon stated that it will continue to update list with ditional entities as appropriate.  

US h previously me similar national security-related allegations about or Chinese technology giants, which included phone maker and internet service provider Huawei.