Beijing on Friday imposed sanctions against 20 US defence firms and 10 industry executives in response to Washington’s massive arms sales package to Taiwan last week.
Beijing’s foreign ministry said that these companies and executives had been sanctioned for their role in arming the island and pledged to continue with “resolute and forceful measures to steadfastly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity”.
“Anyone who attempts to cross the line and make provocations on the Taiwan question will be met with China’s firm response. Any company or individual who engages in arms sales to Taiwan will pay the price for the wrongdoing,” the ministry said.
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On December 17, the US State Department announced it had approved a US$11.1 billion weapons package for Taiwan – reportedly the largest in the island’s history. The sale will also need to be approved by the US Congress.
It includes US$4 billion for 82 High Mobility Rocket Systems, or Himars, and US$4 billion for 60 self-propelled howitzers along with a combined US$3 billion for “tactical mission” software, Javelin anti-tank missiles, helicopter parts and kits to refurbish Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
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Beijing’s foreign ministry said the package “seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, interferes in China’s internal affairs, and undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
