China Imposes Sanctions on U.S. Defence Firms and Executives Over Taiwan Arms Sales

PUKMEDIA

U.S. & China flags.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that it had imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and 20 U.S. defence companies, including Boeing’s St Louis branch, in response to recent arms sales to Taiwan.

According to the ministry, the measures include freezing any assets held by the sanctioned individuals and companies within China, as well as prohibiting domestic organisations and individuals from conducting business with them. The individuals named on the list are also banned from entering China. Those sanctioned include the founder of defence company Anduril Industries and nine senior executives from the affected firms.

Other companies targeted by the sanctions include Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and L3Harris Maritime Services.

The move follows Washington’s announcement last week of an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, the largest such sale to date, which prompted strong opposition from Beijing.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said the Taiwan issue represents the “core of China’s core interests” and constitutes a red line in China–U.S. relations. “Any provocative actions that cross the line on the Taiwan issue will be met with a strong response from China,” the spokesperson said, urging the United States to halt what it described as “dangerous” efforts to arm the island.

China considers democratically governed Taiwan to be part of its territory, a claim that is firmly rejected by Taipei.

Under U.S. law, Washington is obliged to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, though such arms sales remain a persistent source of tension between the two countries.

Source: Reuters



PUKMEDIA