China has banned US defense companies that have sold arms to Taiwan

China reacts decisively to US defense companies’ arms sales to Taiwan and puts the companies on the sanctions list. The move further escalates tensions between Beijing and Washington.

China has imposed sanctions on two US defense companies for selling arms to Taiwan. According to its “Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law”, Beijing has decided to impose economic sanctions on Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said.

China urges US to end arms sales to Taiwan Otherwise, “there will inevitably be a decisive and strong reaction from China.”

The US Congress committed itself to providing arms for the defense of the democratic island in the Taiwan Relations Act. So far, Washington has relied more on sales than direct military aid. However, in August the United States approved direct military aid to Taiwan for the first time as part of the Foreign Government Assistance Program.

China considers Taiwan a part of the People’s Republic of China

According to Beijing, Lockheed Martin was the main contractor in the August 24 US arms sale to Taiwan. Northrop Grumman is also involved in many arms sales, a Foreign Office spokesman said, justifying sanctions against the company.

China considers Taiwan part of the People’s Republic of China and has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan in the past. Democratic Taiwan, home to about 24 million people, has had an independent government since 1949. More recently, Taiwan has reported numerous Chinese naval vessels off its coast and military aircraft entering its air surveillance zone almost daily.

Beijing has warned the US of dire consequences

“We call on the United States to abide by the one-China policy and the provisions of the three joint statements of China and the United States and halt arms sales to Taiwan,” Mao Ning said.

Military agreements between the US and Taiwan must be ended and Taiwan’s disarmament must be stopped. “Otherwise, the US will inevitably face a strong and decisive response from China.”