China Announces Sanctions on US Defence Firms Over Taiwan Arms Sales
China also urged the US to honour its commitments, stop supplying weapons to Taiwan and avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing: China on Friday announced strong countermeasures against several US defence companies and senior executives in response to Washington’s recent approval of large-scale arms sales to Taiwan, Global Times reported.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it will impose sanctions on 20 US defence-related companies and 10 senior executives involved in supplying weapons to Taiwan in recent years. The measures, taken under China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, will take effect immediately.
According to the ministry, the sanctioned companies include Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services, Boeing in St. Louis, Gibbs & Cox, Advanced Acoustic Concepts, VSE Corporation, Sierra Technical Services, Red Cat Holdings, Teal Drones, ReconCraft, High Point Aerotechnologies, Epirus, Dedrone Holdings, Area-I, Blue Force Technologies, Dive Technologies, Vantor, Intelligent Epitaxy Technology, Rhombus Power and Lazarus Enterprises.
Under the sanctions, all movable and immovable assets of these companies located in China will be frozen. Chinese organisations and individuals will also be prohibited from carrying out business, cooperation or other dealings with the listed entities.
The measures also extend to 10 senior executives, including Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, and top executives from companies such as L3Harris and VSE Corporation. Their assets in China will be restricted, and limits will be placed on their activities related to China.
Beijing said US arms sales to Taiwan seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, interfere in China’s internal affairs, and undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Foreign Ministry said the Taiwan issue lies at the core of China’s national interests and is a red line in China-US relations.
A ministry spokesperson warned that any company or individual engaging in arms sales to Taiwan would face consequences, adding that no country or force should underestimate China’s resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China also urged the US to honour its commitments, stop supplying weapons to Taiwan and avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing said it would continue to take resolute measures to protect its sovereignty and security.
The response comes after the administration of US President Donald Trump last week approved a major arms package for Taiwan. The US State Department said the proposed sales are valued at over USD 10 billion and include missiles, howitzers and drones.
Reports said the potential sale includes eight arms packages worth an estimated USD 11.1 billion, such as HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank missiles and drones, with several items covered under Taiwan’s proposed special defence budget.
