The United States government has recently decided to blacklist Tencent, as reported by Bloomberg. This move hinges on the tech and entertainment behemoth’s perceived connections with the Chinese military. Tencent has dismissed these allegations, calling their inclusion on this list “a mistake.”
Danny Marti, a spokesperson for Tencent, made it clear: “We are not a military company or supplier.” He further reassured, “This listing doesn’t affect our operations like sanctions or export controls might. Nonetheless, we plan to cooperate with the Department of Defense to clarify any misunderstanding.”
The roots of this blacklist trace back to a 2020 executive order from then-President Donald Trump, aiming to prevent American firms from investing in Chinese entities linked to military activities.
For those unfamiliar with Tencent’s influence, it’s worth noting that the company is undeniably a titan in the gaming industry. It not only owns companies like Riot Games, Funcom, and Sumo Digital but also holds significant investments in major players such as Epic Games, Remedy, and Larian Studios.
