The U.S. Defense Department has added major Chinese technology companies including gaming and technology company Tencent, artificial intelligence firm SenseTime and the world’s biggest battery maker CATL to its list of companies it says have ties to China’s military.

The US Defense Department has added Chinese tech companies Tencent, a social media and gaming giant, and CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, to a list of firms that it alleges work with China’s military.

China Cosco Shipping, the world’s biggest shipowner, has been targeted by the US government for its alleged links to China’s army. The state-owned group appeared on a list of “military companies operating in the US” in a Federal Register filing. The classification was determined by the Pentagon.

The U.S. Defense Department said on Monday it has added Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings and battery maker CATL to a list of companies it says work with China's military, in a move set to escalate U.

The US has added several Chinese technology companies, including gaming and social media giant Tencent and battery maker CATL, to a list of businesses it says work with China's military. The list serves as a warning to American companies and organisations about the risks of doing business with Chinese entities.