China sanctions US arms firms over Taiwan arms deal
Chinese authorities have imposed sanctions on American arms companies and their representatives. This is in response to Washington's approval of the Taiwanese president's entry into US territory and the sale of American weapons to Taipei. The restrictions apply to 13 companies.
![China has imposed sanctions on American companies [in the photo: China's leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden]](https://v.wpimg.pl/YWViZjJhdjY3CyxZZRN7I3RTeAMjSnV1I0tgSGVea24uWm9eZQ4wOzMbPxolRj4lIxk7HTpGKTt5CCoDZR5oeDIAKRomCSB4MwQ4Dy5HYWFjXmMIKwl0MjVZbUd-WW9mews_CX9FPTIzCjsPKA5rNjVceBc)
The US State Department agreed on 29 November to sell Taiwan various items, including spare parts and components for F-16 multirole aircraft and radar systems.
The following day, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te began a trip to several countries and territories in the Pacific. He started in the US state of Hawaii, then visited the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, and on Thursday, he is visiting Guam—a US territory in the western Pacific Ocean.
In response, Beijing emphasised that both decisions "undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of China. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 13 American defence entities and representatives of these firms are subject to sanctions. Executives from six of these companies have been banned from entering China and have had their assets frozen. Chinese companies and citizens are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with entities subject to sanctions.
China considers Taiwan a rebellious province and protests against maintaining any formal contacts with Taipei.
Taiwan welcomes US decision
Taiwanese authorities warmly welcomed the US State Department's decision on Friday. The Ministry of Defence in Taipei expressed hope that the first transactions will be completed by the end of 2024. Washington's decision will also help maintain the readiness of Taiwan's F-16 fleet and "build dependable defence forces."
In November, American authorities announced that they are considering selling Taiwan military equipment worth approximately £1.66 billion. The package is expected to include advanced air defense missile systems used by Ukraine in its defensive efforts against Russia.
