Core Viewpoint - Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC), China's leading flash memory chipmaker, has filed lawsuits against the U.S. Defense and Commerce Departments, challenging its designation as a company allegedly linked to China's military, claiming it has no ties to the military sector and that the designations have caused significant harm to its business [1][2][5]. Group 1: Lawsuit Against the Defense Department - YMTC has sued the U.S. Defense Department to block its inclusion on a list of entities associated with Beijing's military, which was first added in January 2024 and reaffirmed earlier this year [2][4]. - The lawsuit claims that the Defense Department relied on outdated and inaccurate information to label YMTC as affiliated with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology [5]. - YMTC asserts that the designation has resulted in "significant and ongoing financial and reputational harm," including lost business opportunities with U.S. partners [5]. Group 2: Lawsuit Against the Commerce Department - In addition to the lawsuit against the Defense Department, YMTC has also challenged its inclusion in a separate list by the U.S. Commerce Department that restricts access to American technology, which occurred in 2022 [4]. - The company argues that it has a robust export compliance program and has never been accused of violating U.S. export control laws [4]. Group 3: Company Profile and Product Use - YMTC specializes in advanced flash memory technology utilized in consumer electronics such as laptops and mobile phones [3]. - The company emphasizes that its products are commercial-grade and do not meet military specifications, asserting that it has never supplied technology or products for military purposes [5]. Group 4: Industry Context - Other companies, such as drone maker DJI and lidar manufacturer Hesai Group, have faced similar U.S. designations and have also appealed their cases after initial dismissals [6].