China has added 28 entities from the United States, including Boeing Defense, Space & Security and Lockheed Martin Corp, to its export control list, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday.

Taking effect immediately, this move aims to safeguard national security and interests while fulfilling nonproliferation and other international obligations, the ministry said in an online notice. 

Under the new rule, Chinese companies are prohibited from exporting dual-use items to these 28 US entities. Any ongoing related export activities should be immediately halted, said the notice. 

The term dual-use items refers to goods, technologies and services that can be used for both civil and military purposes.

The US companies impacted by this decision also include defense contractors such as General Dynamics, Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Maritime Tactical Systems and Pacific Rim Defense.

A spokesperson for the ministry said on Thursday that China's decision to add 10 US companies, including Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, to its unreliable entities list is in accordance with laws and related regulations.

These companies, which have been involved in arms sales to China's Taiwan region in recent years, are now subject to heightened scrutiny and restrictions.

The unreliable entities list targets foreign companies, organizations and individuals who disrupt market rules, breach contract norms, halt supplies for noncommercial reasons or significantly harm the legitimate rights and interests of China and its businesses, according to the ministry.

The Taiwan question is China's internal affair, related to its core interests and no external interference will be tolerated. China has consistently and firmly opposed the US sale of weapons to the Taiwan region, said the ministry spokesperson. 

The spokesperson said that China has consistently handled the issue of the unreliable entities list with caution, targeting only a small number of foreign entities that harm China's national security. Foreign entities that operate with integrity and adhere to the law have nothing to be concerned about.

The Chinese government continues to welcome companies from around the world to invest and operate in China and is committed to providing a stable, fair and predictable business environment for law-abiding foreign enterprises, the ministry said. 

zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn