On Sep. 12, the United States added 32 entities to its Commerce Department Entity List, including 23 Chinese companies, for activities deemed contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. Among the Chinese firms, GMC Semiconductor Technology (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. and Jicun Semiconductor Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. were specifically cited for acquiring U.S. chipmaking equipment for Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) and its Northern Integrated Circuit Manufacturing subsidiary in Beijing.

The two SMIC-related companies were already on the Entity List, meaning exporting U.S. equipment to them requires licenses, which are generally denied. Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., along with affiliated companies, was also added under Footnote 4 restrictions due to involvement in high-performance computing (HPC) and AI chip applications. The Commerce Department cited these entities' roles in China's advanced computing, integrated manufacturing, and direct supply to the military, government, and security apparatus, as well as providing technology to Russian military end users.

Other entities added to the list come from India, Iran, Turkey, and the UAE. The full list of newly added Chinese entities includes:

Semiconductor & Integrated Circuit Companies (13):

Beijing Fudan Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.; Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Co., Ltd.; Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics (HK) Co., Ltd.; Shenzhen Fudan Microelectronics Co., Ltd.; Shanghai Fukong Hualong Microsystem Technology Co., Ltd.; Shanghai Fuwei Xunjie Digital Technology Co., Ltd.; Sino IC Technology Co., Ltd.; GMC Semiconductor Technology (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.; Jicun Semiconductor Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; Changsha NetForward Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.; Changzhou NetForward Microelectronics Co., Ltd.; Chengdu NetForward Microelectronics Co., Ltd.; Shenzhen NetForward Microelectronics Co., Ltd.

Biotechnology & Life Sciences Companies (3):

Beijing Tianyi Huiyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd.; Beijing Tsingke Biotech Co., Ltd.; Sangon Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Aerospace, Quantum & Timing Research Institutes (2):

Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Time Service Center

Industrial & Engineering Software Companies (2):

Hong Kong DEMX Co., Ltd.; Shanghai Suochen Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Supply Chain & Logistics Companies (3):

Hua Ke Logistics (HK) Limited; Hua Ke Supply Chain (HK) Limited; Shenzhen Xinlikang Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.

Entities on the list require U.S. export licenses under EAR, generally denied. The move underscores U.S. efforts to limit access to advanced semiconductor equipment and technology for firms supporting China's high-performance computing, AI chip production, and military modernization.