SAEDNEWS: China announced sanctions against US companies and individuals in response to Washington's announcement of massive arms sales to Taiwan.
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that it will impose sanctions on 20 companies linked to the military sector and 10 senior executives. The measures include freezing their assets in China and prohibiting them from conducting business with Chinese organizations and individuals.
The announcement came after the administration of US President Donald Trump approved an arms sales package to Taiwan last week worth more than 11 billion dollars. The deal includes high-mobility artillery rocket systems, known as HIMARS.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “the Taiwan question lies at the very core of China’s core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China–US relations.”
The United States responded strongly to the move.
A spokesperson for the US State Department told NHK on Friday, “We strongly object to Beijing’s attempt to retaliate against American companies.”
The spokesperson added that US policy toward Taiwan “has remained consistent across nine different administrations and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
The US official also urged Beijing to halt its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.
