Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) challenges U.S. Chinese Military Companies listing

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Alibaba Group Holding Limited reported that the U.S. Department of Defense has added Alibaba to its list of Chinese Military Companies, known as the CMC List. This listing bars the Department of Defense from directly or indirectly procuring goods, services or technology from Alibaba.

The company strongly rejects the designation, stating it is not a Chinese military company and is not part of any military-civil fusion strategy. Alibaba plans to pursue all available legal actions against attempts to misrepresent the company.

Alibaba explains that inclusion on the CMC List does not affect its ability to conduct business as usual in the United States or globally because it does not engage in U.S. military procurement. The company notes that the CMC List does not impose other export controls or sanctions, and it does not prevent parties other than the Department of Defense from doing business with the group or transacting in its securities. Alibaba indicates it will issue further announcements when appropriate.

Insights

Regulatory & geopolitical risk analyst

CMC List designation adds U.S. defense-related risk, but Alibaba says operations unaffected.

The inclusion of Alibaba Group on the U.S. Department of Defense Chinese Military Companies list restricts only the Department of Defense from procuring from the company. Alibaba states it has no business tied to U.S. military procurement, so it expects no operational impact.

The company firmly disputes the designation, asserting it is not a Chinese military company and is outside any military-civil fusion strategy. It intends to pursue available legal avenues against what it views as misrepresentation, indicating a willingness to challenge the classification.

The filing clarifies that the CMC List does not impose broader export controls or sanctions and does not limit other parties from dealing with Alibaba or its securities. Per the company’s statement, any financial or commercial consequences would likely arise indirectly, for example through perception, rather than from explicit legal restrictions described here.

Key Terms

Chinese Military Companies, CMC List, forward-looking statements, safe harbor

4 terms

Chinese Military Companies regulatory

"the U.S. Department of Defense has included Alibaba Group into the list of Chinese Military Companies"

Companies based in China that design, build or supply goods and services for military or defense purposes, or that are owned or controlled by military organizations. They matter to investors because they can face special rules, government priorities, export controls, or sanctions that affect profits, access to markets and transparency; think of them like firms that make gear for a national fire department—steady demand but close government oversight and extra risk.

CMC List regulatory

"included Alibaba Group into the list of Chinese Military Companies (the “CMC List”)"

A CMC list is a set of technical items about a drug's chemistry, manufacturing and quality controls that regulators expect a developer to explain, fix or monitor as part of the approval and production process. For investors it matters because unresolved CMC issues can delay approvals, add unexpected costs, or create supply problems—like an appliance failing safety checks and being held off shelves—so progress on the list signals lower regulatory and manufacturing risk.

forward-looking statements regulatory

"This announcement contains forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

safe harbor regulatory

"These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995."

Safe harbor is a rule that protects companies or individuals from legal trouble if they follow certain guidelines or procedures. It’s like having a safety net that allows them to act without fear of punishment, as long as they stick to the rules. This helps encourage honest behavior and clear standards in financial and legal activities.

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Form 6-K: How Foreign Companies Report to the SEC →

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 Under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

June 9, 2026

Commission File Number: 001-36614

Alibaba Group Holding Limited

(Registrant’s name)

26/F Tower One, Times Square

1 Matheson Street

Causeway Bay

Hong Kong S.A.R.

People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F x Form 40-F o

EXHIBITS

Exhibit 99.1 – Announcement – Inclusion of Alibaba Group on the CMC List

2

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED
Date: June 9, 2026	By:	/s/ Kevin Jinwei ZHANG
	Name:	Kevin Jinwei ZHANG
	Title:	Company Secretary

3

Exhibit 99.1

Inclusion of Alibaba Group on the CMC List

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (“Alibaba Group” or the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries and consolidated entities, the “Group”) noted that the U.S. Department of Defense has included Alibaba Group into the list of Chinese Military Companies (the “CMC List”). The U.S. Department of Defense is prohibited from procuring, directly or indirectly, goods, services or technology from entities on the CMC List.

The Company believes that its inclusion in the CMC List is a mistake. There is no basis to conclude that Alibaba Group should be placed on the CMC List. Alibaba Group is not a Chinese military company nor part of any military-civil fusion strategy. The Company will take all available legal action against attempts to misrepresent the Company.

Inclusion in the CMC List will not affect the Group’s ability to conduct business as usual in the United States or anywhere in the world because the Group does not do business related to U.S. military procurement. The CMC List does not impose any other export controls or sanctions, nor does it prohibit any persons (other than the U.S. Department of Defense) from business dealings with the Group or transacting in the securities of the Company.

The Company will make further announcement(s) as and when appropriate.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENTS

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “target,” “guidance,” “is/are likely to” and similar statements. Alibaba Group may also make forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in announcements made on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. All information provided in this announcement is as of the date of this announcement and are based on assumptions that Alibaba Group believes to be reasonable as of this date, and Alibaba Group does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

June 9, 2026

1

FAQ

What did Alibaba (BABA) disclose about the U.S. CMC List?

Alibaba disclosed that the U.S. Department of Defense has added Alibaba Group to its list of Chinese Military Companies (CMC List). This means the Department of Defense is now prohibited from directly or indirectly procuring goods, services or technology from Alibaba Group.

How does Alibaba (BABA) view its inclusion on the CMC List?

Alibaba believes its inclusion on the CMC List is a mistake and states there is no basis for the designation. The company emphasizes it is not a Chinese military company and not part of any military-civil fusion strategy, and plans to contest efforts to misrepresent it.

Will the CMC List designation affect Alibaba’s (BABA) business operations?

Alibaba states the designation will not affect its ability to conduct business as usual in the United States or globally. It explains that the group does not engage in U.S. military procurement, so the Department of Defense procurement ban should not alter its existing operations.

Does the CMC List impose sanctions on Alibaba (BABA) or its securities?

According to Alibaba, the CMC List does not impose export controls or sanctions on the group. It also does not prohibit people other than the U.S. Department of Defense from doing business with Alibaba or transacting in the company’s securities, based on the company’s description.

What actions does Alibaba (BABA) plan to take regarding the CMC List?

Alibaba states it will take all available legal action against attempts to misrepresent the company through its inclusion on the CMC List. The company also indicates it will make further announcements when appropriate, suggesting ongoing engagement with this issue as developments occur.

What forward-looking statement cautions did Alibaba (BABA) include?

Alibaba includes standard forward-looking statement language under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It notes such statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by applicable law.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

1 document

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 5.1 KB