On February 10, the US Commerce Department imposed sanctions against several Chinese aerospace companies.
The Commerce Department added China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute, Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology, Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology, Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology, Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group, and Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group to its sanctions list. These measures were imposed after a Chinese balloon was shot down in US airspace.
The US government believes that these organizations pose a threat to US interests abroad and national security. The sanctioned entities reportedly were involved in the modernization of the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China, primarily its military aerospace programs. In addition, the companies were considered to be developing airships and high-altitude balloons using materials and components related to the aerospace industry.
In early February, the US air force shot down a Chinese high altitude balloon above the state of South Carolina. Another unidentified balloon was later destroyed in US airspace off the coast of Alaska. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the balloon incident threatened the normalization of bilateral relations between China and the US. The Chinese balloon that was brought down above South Carolina reportedly carried intelligence gathering equipment.
