Tencent, the prominent Chinese tech and entertainment powerhouse, has announced it may pursue legal action against the United States. This comes after the company found itself on a list identifying military-related firms.
In an update aimed at keeping investors informed, Tencent made it clear that it has no ties to the Chinese military. The company expressed its belief that its addition to the Chinese Military Companies (CMC) list was an error.
Ma Huateng, the chair of the board, stated, “As Tencent is not a Chinese military company, nor does it contribute to any military-civil fusion in the Chinese defense industry, we believe our inclusion on the CMC List is a mistake.”
Ma Huateng further explained that, unlike other U.S. government lists designed for sanctions or controlling exports, the CMC List is solely concerned with U.S. defense procurement. Consequently, its presence on the list should not impact Tencent’s business operations.
Tencent plans to initiate a Reconsideration Process to address this mistake. As part of this effort, the company will engage in discussions with the U.S. Department of Defense to clear up any misconceptions. If deemed necessary, legal action will be considered to ensure its removal from the CMC List. Updates will be provided to investors and the public as the situation evolves.
