US adds Chinese oil giant to economic blacklist, Skyrizon to Military End-User list

 The US has added Chinese National Overseas Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to its economic blacklist for helping China in intimidating its neighbours in the South China Sea.

The United States on January 14, 2021 added Chinese oil giant-Chinese National Overseas Oil Corporation (CNOOC)-to its economic blacklist for helping China in intimidating its neighbours in the South China Sea.

The United States has also added Chinese company Skyrizon to its Military End-User (MEU) List due to its capability to develop, produce or maintain military items such as military aircraft engines.

The information was shared by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross who stated that both the companies have threatened US national security.

Ross said that "China's reckless and belligerent actions in the South China Sea and its aggressive push to acquire sensitive intellectual property and technology for its militarization efforts are a threat to US national security and the security of the international community."

Why has CNOOC been blacklisted?

The Chinese company CNOOC allegedly acts as a bully for PLA and helps it intimidate its neighbors. The US Commerce Secretary said that the Chinese military continues to benefit from government civil-military fusion policies for malign purposes.

Why has Skyrizon been added to blacklist?

Skyrizon, which is a Chinese state-owned company, reportedly poses a significant threat to the US national security and foreign policy interests due to its push to acquire and indigenize foreign military technologies.
The action of adding the company to the Military End-User list aims to warn the export community of Skyrizon's significant ties to the People's Liberation Army.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also stated that the Chinese Communist Party has used CNOOC and other state enterprises as weapons to attempt to enforce its unlawful Nine Dashed Line. He further reiterated US' support to the other nations who claim the South China Sea and said that it will continue to act until it sees China cease its coercive behavior in the South China Sea.