Photo: VCG

Chinese drone maker DJI filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense (DoD) on Saturday, challenging its inclusion on the “Chinese Military Companies” (CMC) blacklist and seeking to be removed from the list.

In a statement sent to the Global Times on Saturday, DJI emphasized its commitment to advancing civilian drone applications and opposed the use of its products for military purposes.

DJI described the DoD’s designation as “erroneous” and noted that it had made numerous attempts over 16 months to engage with the department before resorting to federal courts for relief. "DoD itself acknowledges that DJI makes consumer and commercial drones, not military drones," the company stated, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency.

DJI was placed on the CMC list by the US Department of Defense in 2022. In response, the company issued a statement on its website, emphasizing that it is “the only drone company to clearly denounce and actively discourage military use of our products.” DJI also highlighted its suspension of operations in Russia and Ukraine to prevent its drones from being used in the ongoing conflict.

Experts suggest that DJI's legal action could set an example for other Chinese companies facing similar US government sanctions. However, they are skeptical about the lawsuit's chances of success, given the complexities of the US legal system and the frequent use of national security arguments by US authorities.

Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted the significance of DJI's approach. “This lawsuit helps DJI to clarify its stance and build a positive market image, a path worth considering for other Chinese firms in similar situations,” Lü told the Global Times on Saturday.

Despite the restrictions imposed by the DoD, DJI's drones remain widely used in the US across various sectors, including civilian applications and public rescue missions. Lü noted that although the legal action faces challenges, it could raise public awareness in the US about DJI's technological capabilities and its stance against the overreach of US national security measures.

If the US prides itself on being a market economy, it cannot ignore a legitimate legal request from DJI, Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times on Saturday, expressing support for DJI’s decision to defend its rights through legal channels.

Gao also warned that the US' broad application of national security concepts, including imposing sanctions against companies like DJI and Huawei, could have a chilling effect on the operations and growth prospects of Chinese firms in the country.

He noted that the outcome of DJI's legal challenge remains uncertain, given the lengthy nature of US legal proceedings.

During a telephone conversation between China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on October 8, Wang said, "China urges the US side to pay attention to the specific concerns of Chinese enterprises, promptly lift sanctions on Chinese companies and improve the business environment for Chinese companies in the US," according to a statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce.