The Ministry of Commerce pointed out that these agencies were involved in Chinese high-altitude balloons that broke into U.S. airspace and were related to the People’s Liberation Army’s aerospace program, including flying ships, balloons, and related materials and parts. The Chinese military's use of high-altitude balloons for intelligence and reconnaissance activities has violated the national security interests of the United States.
Five entities included in the trade blacklist include: Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd, Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology Co., Ltd , Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd, Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology Co., Ltd, Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Technology Group Ltd. (Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd). Separately, research institute China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute) is also on the sanctions list.
A senior U.S. State Department official said earlier that U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has determined that the Chinese surveillance balloon that invaded and flew over the U.S. mainland last week had electronic surveillance technology capable of monitoring U.S. communications.
Officials pointed out that the balloon "capable of performing signals intelligence (signs intelligence) collection operations" belongs to the Chinese balloon fleet that has flown over "more than 40 countries on five continents," and believes the balloon's manufacturer has direct ties to the People's Liberation Army.
