China's commerce ministry adds 3 U.S. firms to unreliable entity list

China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday that three U.S. companies have been placed on its unreliable entity list, effective immediately.

The entities are Saronic Technologies, Inc., Aerkomm Inc. and Oceaneering International, Inc.

The decision, made in line with relevant laws, prohibits the three companies from engaging in import or export activities related to China and bars them from making new investments within the country.

A spokesperson for the ministry said that in recent years, the three U.S. firms have engaged in so-called military-technical cooperation with the Taiwan region despite the Chinese side's strong opposition, seriously undermining China's national sovereignty, security and development interests.

In accordance with laws such as China's Foreign Trade Law, National Security Law and the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, as well as provisions including Article 2 of the Provisions on the Unreliable Entity List, China is holding these companies legally accountable, the spokesperson said.

China has always handled matters related to the unreliable entity list with prudence, targeting only a very small number of foreign entities that undermine the country's national security in accordance with the law, the spokesperson said, adding that there is no cause for concern for foreign businesses that operate with integrity and in compliance with regulations.

The Chinese government, as always, welcomes companies from around the world to invest and do business in China and remains committed to providing a stable, fair and predictable business environment for law-abiding foreign enterprises, the spokesperson added.