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Reuters has reported they have seen a document noting the status being placed on 20 companies. The publication say a defence official confirmed the authenticity of the document which has been sent to Congress. Other firms in the document include Hikvision, China Mobile Communications Group, China Telecommunications Corp and Aviation Industry Corp of China.

The Defence Department drew up the list based on a 1999 law.

The designations do not automatically draw up sanctions, but says the President may draw up sanctions which could include blocking property.

Huawei, Hikvision, China Mobile, China Telecom, AVIC, the White House and the Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

In September, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat and Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, wrote to Defence Secretary Mark Esper.

The Senators discussed concerns over Beijing using civilian technologies for military purposes.

They asked: “Will you commit to updating and publicly releasing this list as soon as possible?”

The US and China have had a tense diplomatic relationship in recent months.

This is due to the coronavirus pandemic and the political situation in Hong Kong.

Donald Trump has signed legislation calling for sanctions over the treatment of China’s Uyghur minority.

Beijing has vowed retaliation.

The Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act was originally passed by the Senate by a unanimous act.

A stronger version of the bill was passed by the House of Representatives at 407–1, with a second revised bill being passed 413-1 after being approved by the Senate.

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Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie was the sole no vote, later explaining he felt the US should not get involved in China’s affairs. 

The bill calls on the Director of National Intelligence to inform Congress of security issues caused by China’s crackdown on the Uyghurs.

The FBI must report on the protection of Uyghurs in the United States whilst the State Department must give updates on the Chinese government crackdowns.

The bill also paves the way for sanctions on individuals adjudged to have blocked “right to life, liberty, or the security” in the region.

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has alleged in his new books, Trump was told by Xi Jinping, Chinese President about the existence of detention camps.

Mr Bolton wrote: “With only interpreters present, Xi had explained to Trump why he was basically building concentration camps in Xinjiang.

“According to our interpreter, Trump said that Xi should go ahead with building the camps, which Trump thought was exactly the right thing to do.

“The National Security Council’s top Asia staffer, Matthew Pottinger, told me that Trump said something very similar during his November 2017 trip to China.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo referred to China’s actions as “the stain of the century.”

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