China sanctions US companies for arms sales to Taiwan

Beijing, Dec 27 (Prensa Latina) China announced new sanctions against seven US military companies and their executives in response to the sale of weapons to Taiwan.

December 27, 2024
09:45

The sanctions are a response to recent US actions including a package of military assistance and arms sales to Taipei, and the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sanctioned companies are Insitu Inc., Hudson Technologies Co., Saronic Technologies Inc., Raytheon Canada, Raytheon Australia, Aerkomm Inc., and Oceaneering International Inc.

Spokeswoman Mao Ning explained that the US military support measures for Taiwan seriously violate the one-China principle and the agreements between the two countries.

According to the spokeswoman, the US actions interfere in China’s internal affairs and negatively affect the country’s territorial integrity. “China will continue to take all necessary measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests.” She noted that the US position regarding Taiwan is a dead end. She also said that insistence on using military force to support “Taiwan’s independence” will only backfire.

Regarding the National Defense Authorization Act, Mao said the negative content toward Beijing is marked by a Cold War mentality and ideological bias and seeks to justify increasing US military spending and maintaining its global hegemony.

The spokeswoman urged Washington to abide by the one-China principle and the three jointly communicated agreements, demanded that it immediately cease its arms support actions toward Taiwan, and refrain from implementing any negative content related to China. She also called on the US to objectively and rationally handle China’s development and bilateral relations.

Thirty-eight M1A2T Abrams tanks recently arrived in Taiwan as part of a batch of military equipment provided by Washington. According to Taiwanese military authorities, refueling and adaptation training for these tanks is expected to begin in early February next year.

Earlier this month, Beijing announced countermeasures against 13 US military industry companies and six of their executives linked to arms sales to Taipei.

jrr/llp/mem/idm