Alibaba sues Pentagon over China military blacklist

Alibaba Group Holding has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defence in a California district court. The Chinese technology and e-commerce company is seeking to be removed from a Pentagon blacklist of firms allegedly supporting China's military. Alibaba claims the Department of Defence added the company to this list without providing substantial evidence or explanation. The company argues that this action violates its constitutional due process rights and its right to free speech.

Alibaba has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense in federal court in San Jose, California, contesting its designation as a "Chinese military company." The e-commerce giant argues that this claim has no basis in fact or law, stating its board has no military affiliation and its services are for retail, logistics, and IT, not defense. The U.S. added Alibaba to a list of companies believed to be assisting China's military on June 8, alongside other firms like BYD and Baidu. Alibaba previously warned it would take legal action to challenge the designation. The Pentagon's list of such companies has grown to 188 firms.