China declared sanctions on five American defense-related companies on Sunday in response to US arms sales to Taiwan and US sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals.
According to a statement posted online by the Foreign Ministry, these sanctions will freeze any assets held by the companies in China and prohibit organizations and individuals within China from engaging in business transactions with them. The sanctioned companies include BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat, and Data Link Solutions.
The Foreign Ministry condemned the US actions, stating that they have infringed upon China’s sovereignty and security interests. The ministry further emphasized that such actions have disrupted peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, violating the rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals.
Asserting China’s commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity while protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese entities and citizens, the ministry reaffirmed its resolute stance.
Last month, the US greenlit the sale of approximately $300 million worth of communication and other defense-related equipment to Taiwan. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin had previously cautioned that China would retaliate against companies involved in arms sales to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s status is a contentious issue in US-China relations, with concerns among analysts that it could escalate into a military confrontation between the two nations. China regards Taiwan, a self-governed island off its eastern coast, as a rebellious province that should eventually fall under Beijing’s control. The sales of US arms to Taiwan are seen by China as interference in its domestic affairs.
In the region, the Chinese military routinely dispatches fighter planes and ships into the waters surrounding Taiwan as a means of dissuading the island’s government from declaring formal independence. While an invasion seems unlikely at present, the consistent military activity serves as a constant reminder of the potential threat.
The US switched its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1971, but due to its domestic laws, it is obligated to ensure Taiwan’s capacity for self-defense. Consequently, the US and its allies frequently navigate warships through the Taiwan Strait, a 100-mile-wide waterway separating the island from mainland China.
Source: AP