China to impose sanctions on 9 US companies over arms sales to Taiwan

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized at a press conference in Beijing that US arms sales to Taiwan violate the "one China" principle and the Three Joint Communiqués that form the foundation of relations between the two countries.

Stating that the sales threaten China's security and sovereignty, harm peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and send a wrong message to separatists advocating for Taiwan's independence, spokesperson Lin noted that they condemn and protest the US stance. 

The statement from the ministry noted that sanctions will be imposed on American defense industry companies Sierra Nevada Corporation, Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, Cubic Corporation, S3 AeroDefense, TCOM, TextOre, Planate Management Group, ACT1 Federal, and Exovera.

Within the scope of the sanctions, the assets of the companies in question within China will be frozen, and they will be prohibited from engaging in transactions with individuals and institutions in the country.

The US Department of State most recently announced on September 17 that a $228 million military sale, including aviation-related products and services, had been approved for Taiwan. This was the 16th military sale approved for Taiwan by the government led by US President Joe Biden.

SANCTIONS ON AMERICAN DEFENSE COMPANIES

In September 2022, China decided to impose sanctions on Boeing Defense and Raytheon executives Ted Colbert and Greg Hayes for their roles in a $1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

Following Washington's approval in August 2023 for the sale of a $500 million F-16 infrared search and track system and related equipment to Taiwan, the Beijing administration announced that it would impose sanctions on the suppliers of this equipment, US defense industry companies Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

After the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in December 2023 that $300 million worth of ongoing supply and equipment support would be provided to maintain Taiwan's Command, Control, Communications, and Computer (C4) capabilities, a sanctions decision was taken against 5 American defense industry companies that provided this equipment: BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat, and Data Link Solutions.

Furthermore, it was stated in May 2023 that Boeing Defense's space and security unit, as well as General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems, were added to the "unreliable entities" list for the same reasons. While these companies were prevented from making further investments in China, their senior executives were banned from entering China.

Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, has had de facto independence since 1949, when the People's Republic of China was founded. The separation that emerged after the civil war between mainland China and Taiwan still continues. Beijing emphasizes the "one China" principle and opposes countries that recognize it from establishing official relations with Taiwan and selling arms to Taiwan.

News Source: AA