Chinese tech and entertainment giant Tencent has said it might take legal action against the United States after it was added to a list of military-related companies. 

In a release to investors, the company insisted that it has no relation to the Chinese military, adding that it believes that its inclusion on the Chinese Military Companies (CMC) list is a mistake.

"As the Company is neither a Chinese military company nor a military-civil fusion contributor to the Chinese defense industrial base, it believes that its inclusion in the CMC List is a mistake," chair of the board Ma Huateng wrote. 

"Unlike other lists maintained by the U.S. Government for sanctions or export control measures, inclusion in the CMC List relates only to U.S. defense procurement, which does not affect the business of the Group." 

"The Company intends to initiate a Reconsideration Process to correct this mistake. During the process, it will engage in discussions with the U.S. Department of Defense to resolve any misunderstanding, and if necessary, will undertake legal proceedings to remove the Company from the CMC List. The Company will make further announcement(s) as and when appropriate."