STORY: The U.S. on Monday added Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, internet search provider Baidu, and automakers BYD and Nio to a list of companies it believes are aiding Beijing's military.

It's a move which could inflame tensions between the countries.

The long-awaited update takes the place of a list from early last year.

And comes less than a month after President Donald Trump met China's Xi Jinping on a visit to Beijing.

The list now includes a large number of China's top technology firms key to advancing Beijing's military and industrial prowess.

It reflects Washington's security concerns amid intense geopolitical competition between the countries.

In February, when Trump's trip to China had been pending, the Pentagon briefly posted an updated list.

But then quickly withdrew it with little explanation.

The new version mirrors the withdrawn February list but also includes China's top memory chipmakers CXMT and YMTC, as well as other tech firms. 

Alibaba said in a statement there was "no basis" for its inclusion on the list. 

While Baidu "categorically" rejected its inclusion.

BYD and others didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

China's embassy in Washington said Beijing opposed, quote, "making discriminatory lists to go after Chinese companies," and that its firms observe local laws and regulations.