US sanctions 29 Chinese shipbuilding entities

The US said that it sanctioned entities in China that enable human rights abuses, entities that supported the militarization and unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, entities that acquired US-origin items in support of the People’s Liberation Army’s programs, and entities and persons that engaged in the theft of US trade secrets.

More specifically, the latest sanctions added 25 research institutes of China Shipbuilding Group, as well as four shipyards, including CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, Chongqing Chuandong Shipbuilding, Guangxin Shipbuilding and Heavy Industry, Guangzhou Taicheng Shipbuilding.

The Entity List sanctions show that cutting trade ties with China remains a top priority for the Trump administration’s many China hawks, who view the country’s growing technological and military might with increasing alarm.

The Entity List has become a favorite Trump administration tool to punish China and now includes more than 300 Chinese entities.

Earlier in August, the US blacklisted China Shipbuilding Group in August for its role in developing infrastructure in the contested areas of the South China Sea.