BEIJING (Reuters) - China has added 28 U.S. 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 (NYSE: GD ), Boeing (NYSE: BA ) Defense, Space & Security, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT ) and Raytheon (NYSE: RTN ) Missiles & Defense.

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