Feb 6 (Reuters) - A group of 17 Republican state

attorneys general alleged that top U.S. asset managers,

including BlackRock ( BLK ) and State Street, were

making improper or inadequate disclosures about their

investments in China.

In a letter dated Thursday, the coalition said the companies

were downplaying the risks associated with China, such as its

status as a "designated foreign adversary" of the U.S. or its

"apparent intention to invade Taiwan".

The letter was particularly scathing toward BlackRock ( BLK ), the

biggest issuer of exchange-traded funds tracking emerging

markets equities, according to VettaFi's ETF Database.

The rebuke comes as a bitter trade war unfolds between the

two biggest economies of the world, and will put asset managers

to the test as they navigate an increasingly complex

geopolitical landscape.

U.S. authorities have previously scrutinized investment

firms with exposure to China, citing concerns over potential

human rights abuses and to curb the flow of American capital

into a country they accuse of harboring ambitions to invade

Taiwan.

Beijing denies allegations of human rights abuses and

regards Taiwan as its own territory. Taiwan's government rejects

those claims.

"Many BlackRock ( BLK ) fund disclosures do not reflect China's

apparent intention to invade Taiwan," the attorneys general

wrote in the letter, adding that other "asset managers fail to

address this issue as well".

Besides BlackRock ( BLK ) and State Street, the group also took aim

at Invesco ( IVZ ), JPMorgan ( JPM ), Goldman Sachs ( GS ) and

Morgan Stanley ( MS ).

JPMorgan ( JPM ) and Goldman Sachs ( GS ) declined comment, while the

others companies did not immediately respond to requests for

comment. Contents of the letter were earlier reported by

Bloomberg News and the Financial Times.