China has added 28 US entities to its export control list to "safeguard national security and interests", the Commerce Ministry said on Thursday.

The companies on the list include General Dynamics, Boeing Defence, Space & Security, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missiles & Defence.

China is also banning the export of dual-use items to these companies starting on Thursday, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the ministry said on Thursday it had added 10 US companies to its "Unreliable Entity List" for their involvement in arms sales to Taiwan.

Effective from Thursday, the blacklisted companies, which include various units of Lockheed and General Dynamics, will be banned from exporting to and importing from China or making new investments in the country, according to the ministry. (Reuters)