With these sanctions, Beijing’s message to Washington is clear: “Stop condoning and supporting Taiwan’s independence.”
China has sanctioned nine US defense firms for the sale of military equipment to Taiwan.
The Foreign Ministry measures in Beijing come as China continues to increase pressure on Taiwan and demands that Washington end its support for Taiwan’s declaration of independence.
China has frozen the properties of the nine firms in its territory and banned all transactions with China-based individuals or organizations with immediate effect, the ministry said in a statement.
Spokesperson Lin Jian said the US arms sale to “China’s Taiwan region” “seriously violates the one-China principle … … violates China’s sovereignty and security interests” and ‘harms Sino-US relations’.
Speaking at a press conference, Lin said Beijing had taken “decisive countermeasures” against the companies.
The affected companies are Sierra Nevada Corporation, Stick Rudder Enterprises, Cubic Corporation, S3 Aerospace, TCOM Ltd Partnership, TextOre, Planate Management Group, ACT1 Federal and Exovera.
Last Monday, the US State Department approved the sale of spare parts worth about 228 million dollars to the Taiwanese military.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said the sales package, which will help it maintain “combat readiness,” would “take effect” within a month.
China, which considers democratically-ruled Taiwan its territory, has stepped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei vehemently denies.
China sanctions US companies and executives for Russia and Taiwan
