US adds six China entities tied to balloon programme to export blacklist

The six companies include Beijing Nanjiang Aerospace Technology; China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute; and Dongguan Lingkong Remote Sensing Technology.

The other three are Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group; Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation Technology; along with Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group.

An employee at Guangzhou Tian-Hai-Xiang Aviation said she was not aware of the sanctions, and declined to comment further. The company has close ties with the Chinese military, and makes aviation products for civilian and military use, according to its website.

The Chinese embassy in Washington and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 48th Research Institute did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The government-owned 48th Research Institute produces sensors for civil and military use, according to its website.

Beijing Nanjiang, Dongguan Lingkong, Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group, and Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation Science and Technology Group could not be reached.

Beijing Nanjiang is a unit of Shanghai-listed developer Deluxe Family, according to an exchange filing. The company partnered with Beihang University in developing China’s first military-civilian near-space airship named “Dream”, according to the official People’s Daily.

Dongguan Lingkong was indirectly invested in by the Institute of Beihang University in Dongguan, which develops unmanned airships, according to public registration information. Both Eagles Men Aviation and Shanxi Eagles Men Aviation were invested in by a private equity fund promoting military-civil integration.