WuXi AppTec filed a lawsuit on June 11, 2026, in the US District Court for the District of Columbia challenging its designation as a “Chinese Military Company” on the Pentagon’s 1260H blacklist [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The US Department of Defense updated this blacklist on June 8, adding about 80 corporate groups and nearly 188 related entities, including over 10 Chinese technology and biomedicine firms such as Alibaba, Baidu, BYD, NIO, WuXi AppTec, Trina Solar, and YouShu Technology [1, 2, 3, 5].
WuXi AppTec demands invalidation, cancellation, and removal of its designation, stating the US listing lacks factual and legal basis and severely damages its reputation and international business [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The company called the designation “an error with no basis,” calling it arbitrary, capricious, and the “product of political pressure” [1, 6].
WuXi AppTec provides contract drug development services in the biotechnology sector [1, 6, 4]. Being on the blacklist bars the US Defense Department from signing contracts or procuring from these companies [3, 5].
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the US blacklisting on June 9 as broadening national security concepts and discriminatory against Chinese firms. He urged the US to correct its mistakes and stop unreasonable suppression, warning China would take necessary measures to protect legitimate rights [1, 3, 5]. Lin said, “We urge the US side to correct its wrong actions and stop unreasonable suppression of Chinese enterprises” [1].
Alibaba and BYD also announced legal challenges to their designation. Alibaba said it is not a military company and would take all legal steps to protect its image [1]. BYD said the designation contradicts facts and harms its US development, pledging legal and administrative action [1].
The Pentagon declined to comment on the ongoing litigation [1, 6].
The lawsuit follows the June 8 Pentagon update to the 1260H list and represents a growing legal push by Chinese firms to challenge US national security blacklists restricting their US operations [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
