China on Wednesday announced sanctions against nine US military-linked firms selling arms to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory and threatens to annex by force.
These measures involve freezing the property of these firms within China, as part of an ongoing effort to pressure the US into halting its weapons sales to the island.
"Weapons sales by the United States to China's Taiwan region have seriously violated the one-China principle,... seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and security interests, (and) damaged China-US relations," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news conference, as reported by AFP.
"China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the United States," Lin said.
China has consistently called upon the White House, a significant international supporter and arms provider for Taiwan's democratic government, to refrain from engaging in formal relations with the island's leadership. Beijing maintains its claim over Taiwan as part of its territory.
The measures, effective immediately, target companies such as Sierra Nevada Corporation, Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, Cubic Corporation, S3 Aerospace, TCOM Ltd Partnership, TextOre, Planate Management Group, ACT1 Federal, and Exovera, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.
The statement also prohibits organizations and individuals within China from conducting transactions with these firms, according to Reuters.
At a regular press briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged the United States "to immediately stop the dangerous trend of arming Taiwan. Stop conniving and supporting Taiwan independence, and stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
This is not the first time China has sanctioned and banned companies, including units of Lockheed Martin, for selling arms to Taiwan.
China has expressed strong opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan and has called on Washington to withdraw them immediately. The defense ministry has also previously lodged a complaint with the United States regarding this matter.
Over the past five years, China has intensified its military and political pressure to assert its claims over Taiwan, which Taipei firmly rejects.
These measures involve freezing the property of these firms within China, as part of an ongoing effort to pressure the US into halting its weapons sales to the island.
"Weapons sales by the United States to China's Taiwan region have seriously violated the one-China principle,... seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and security interests, (and) damaged China-US relations," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news conference, as reported by AFP.
"China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the United States," Lin said.
China has consistently called upon the White House, a significant international supporter and arms provider for Taiwan's democratic government, to refrain from engaging in formal relations with the island's leadership. Beijing maintains its claim over Taiwan as part of its territory.
The measures, effective immediately, target companies such as Sierra Nevada Corporation, Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, Cubic Corporation, S3 Aerospace, TCOM Ltd Partnership, TextOre, Planate Management Group, ACT1 Federal, and Exovera, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.
The statement also prohibits organizations and individuals within China from conducting transactions with these firms, according to Reuters.
At a regular press briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged the United States "to immediately stop the dangerous trend of arming Taiwan. Stop conniving and supporting Taiwan independence, and stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
This is not the first time China has sanctioned and banned companies, including units of Lockheed Martin, for selling arms to Taiwan.
China has expressed strong opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan and has called on Washington to withdraw them immediately. The defense ministry has also previously lodged a complaint with the United States regarding this matter.
Over the past five years, China has intensified its military and political pressure to assert its claims over Taiwan, which Taipei firmly rejects.
