Tencent, the prominent Chinese tech and entertainment corporation, is considering legal action against the United States after being added to a roster of companies associated with the military. In a statement directed at its investors, Tencent firmly stated it has no ties with the Chinese military, asserting that its inclusion on the Chinese Military Companies (CMC) list is incorrect.
Ma Huateng, the chair of the board, emphasized, “Our company is not a Chinese military entity nor involved in any military-civil fusion activities related to China’s defense industry. We strongly believe being placed on the CMC List is a mistake.”
He further clarified that, unlike other U.S. government lists created for sanctions or controlling exports, the CMC List mainly pertains to U.S. defense procurement, which doesn’t influence Tencent’s business operations.
The company plans to initiate a Reconsideration Process to rectify the situation. Throughout this process, it aims to engage in discussions with the U.S. Department of Defense to clear up any misunderstandings. If necessary, Tencent is prepared to pursue legal avenues to have its name removed from the CMC List. They’ll provide further updates and announcements when appropriate.
