U.S. Takes Action Against Chinese Companies Linked To Spy Balloon Program

Leif Le MahieuFebruary 11, 2023

Six U.S. citizens have been sanctioned by the U.S. government Chinese aerospace companies over their purported involvement in the communist country’s spy balloon program.

The Commerce Department Announced the Sanctions Friday: Less than a week following the Air Force Shot down a Chinese surveillance ballon over the Atlantic Ocean, which had crossed the continental U.S.

“The PRC’s [People’s Republic of China] use of high-altitude balloons violates our sovereignty and threatens U.S. national security,” Alan Estevez is the undersecretary for commerce for industry security. In a statement “Today’s action makes clear that entities that seek to harm U.S. national security and sovereignty will be cut off from accessing U.S. technologies.”

The Entity List will include the six Chinese entities mentioned. This list is where trade restrictions are placed for companies that have been found to be in danger of national security.

In China, the entities are Ask a question Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology is, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Forschung Institute, Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology and Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group are, Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group and Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology.

According to the Epoch Times several companies have collaborated with the Chinese military on projects. One of these companies creates stratospheric aircraftships.

“The Commerce Department will not hesitate to continue to use the Entity List and our other regulatory and enforcement tools to protect U.S. national security and sovereignty,” Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, stated.

Matthew Axelrod, a Commerce Department official, stated that the government took action to stop the spread Chinese balloon surveillance programs.

“Today’s action demonstrates our concerted efforts to identify and disrupt the PRC’s use of surveillance balloons, which have violated the airspace of the United States and more than forty countries,” He said.

The Air Force also receives the sanctions the same day. shot down An unidentified object was seen above Alaska, less than a week following the Chinese balloon incident. It is not known if this object is Chinese in origin.

According to reports, the object flew at around 40,000 feet making it a danger to civilian aircraft.

“We have no further details about the object at this time, including any description of its capabilities, purpose, or origin,” said Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder. “The object was about the size of a small car, so not similar in size or shape to the high-altitude surveillance balloon that was taken down off the coast of South Carolina.”