With friends like US, who needs enemies

The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security added 37 more Chinese entities to the Entity List, claiming that the move demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding US national security. Tellingly, it also said that the new additions were in support of US foreign policy, which, as evident to all, aims to curtail China's development.

The new additions bring the number of Chinese entities the Joe Biden administration has put on the Entity List to 355 — more than any prior administration, as a statement announcing the move proudly boasts.

Highlighting the political nature of the administration's latest additions to the list in the run-up to the presidential election in November, 11 entities were added for their involvement in China's "High Altitude Balloon" program, which BIS said poses significant national security concerns.