China Announces Sanctions on US Defence Firms Over Taiwan Arms Sales
Beijing: China announced on Friday that it has taken strong countermeasures against several US defense companies and senior executives in response to Washington’s recent approval of large-scale arms sales to Taiwan, the Global Times reported.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would impose sanctions on 20 US defense companies and 10 senior executives who played a role in supplying arms to Taiwan in recent years. Measures taken under China’s Anti-Alien Law will come into effect immediately.
According to the department, sanctioned companies include Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services, St. Louis-based Boeing, 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. Businesses.
Within the scope of the sanctions, all movable and immovable assets of these companies in China will be frozen. Chinese organizations and individuals will also be prohibited from doing business, collaborating or having other relationships with the listed entities.
The measures also cover 10 senior executives, including Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey and senior executives from companies such as L3Harris and VSE Corporation. Their presence in China will be restricted and their China-related activities will be limited.
Beijing said US arms sales to Taiwan seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Declarations, interfere with China’s internal affairs, and harm China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Taiwan issue is at the center of China’s national interests and is a red line in China-US relations.
A ministry spokesman warned that any company or individual selling arms to Taiwan would face consequences, adding that no country or power should underestimate China’s determination to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China also called on the United States to honor its commitments, stop supplying arms to Taiwan and avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing said it would continue to take decisive measures to protect its sovereignty and security.
The response comes after US President Donald Trump’s administration approved a major arms package for Taiwan last week. The US State Department said the proposed sales were worth more than $10 billion and included missiles, howitzers and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Reports said the potential sale includes eight weapons packages worth an estimated US$11.1 billion, including HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, which are included in Taiwan’s proposed special defense budget.
