In 2021, a new law mandated that the Pentagon compile a list of Chinese military companies operating in the United States. The Department of Defense (DOD) recently re-added lidar maker Hesai Group to this list after initially removing it. Hesai, known for its lidar technology used in robotaxi firms like General Motors’s Cruise and Amazon’s Zoox, was first listed in January and later sued the Pentagon over this designation.
The DOD reevaluated Hesai’s status and determined it still met the criteria for inclusion on the list. The company holds a significant market share in automotive lidar technology and robotic cars, making it a key player in the industry.
In January, the DOD updated the list to include Hesai and several other Chinese tech firms as part of ongoing efforts to address national security concerns related to the Chinese Communist Party’s military-civil fusion strategy. Hesai, however, contested this decision, stating that it is not influenced or controlled by any Chinese governmental or military entity.
The DOD argued that Hesai’s relationships with Chinese technology companies pose a security threat, pointing to its alleged affiliation with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Hesai’s legal team countered by challenging the evidence connecting the company to the Chinese military and questioning the DOD’s criteria for designation.
The broader context of the issue involves China’s military-civil fusion strategy, which blurs the lines between civilian and military sectors to acquire foreign technologies through various means. The DOD’s decision to relist Hesai reflects the ongoing scrutiny of Chinese companies operating in the U.S.
The Epoch Times reached out to Hesai for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. This article includes information from Reuters. Please rewrite this sentence.
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