China has announced sanctions against US companies and individuals in response to Washington’s announcement of massive arms sales to Taiwan.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the sanctions target 20 military-related firms and 10 senior executives. It said the penalties include freezing their assets in China and banning them from doing business with organizations and individuals in the country.
US President Donald Trump’s administration last week approved an arms sale package valued at more than 11 billion dollars. The weapons include high-mobility artillery rocket systems, known as HIMARS.
A Chinese ministry spokesperson issued a statement saying that “the Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations.”
The United States has reacted sharply.
A spokesperson for the US State Department told NHK on Friday, “We strongly object to Beijing’s efforts to retaliate against US companies.”
The spokesperson went on to say that US policy for Taiwan “has remained consistent across nine different US administrations and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
The official added that Washington urges Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.
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