In a move likely to increase uncertainty within the aerospace industry over the legal and political implications of doing business with China, the U.S. government indicted Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas Tuesday on charges of making false statements about exports of machine tools to China.

U.S. officials have been increasingly concerned in recent years about possible transfers of militarily related aerospace technology to China. Among the projects that have come under scrutiny are China-based launches of satellites owned by Loral and Hughes.

Also named as defendants were China's National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC); two Chinese nationals employed by CATIC; the Douglas Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of McDonnell Douglas and the director of Douglas' China program office.