China on Wednesday announced sanctions against a dozen U.S. defense companies and several executives over Washington’s “economic coercion” and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. The move comes after the US imposed sanctions on its part.
The US has imposed “arbitrary and unlawful sanctions on a number of Chinese entities” while “continuing to sell weapons to the Taiwan region,” the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said of the “countermeasures.”
The ministry condemned “unilateral intimidation and economic coercion that seriously violate the legitimate and legal rights of Chinese companies, institutions and individuals.” The Chinese punitive measures include units and individuals from Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and General Dynamics.
Beijing speaks of the ‘One China principle’
US arms sales to Taiwan seriously violated the One China Principle, interfered in China’s internal affairs and undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Beijing said. To justify its actions, Beijing also referred to US sanctions due to “so-called Russia-related factors”.
At the beginning of May, the US imposed a new package of sanctions on supporters of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This targets about 300 people and companies, including companies from Russia, China and other countries, accused of helping Moscow procure weapons and armaments for the war in Ukraine.
There is a major conflict looming over Taiwan
The Taiwan issue continues to cause tensions between Washington and Beijing, especially following the approval of further US military aid to the island claimed by China. The US does not support Taiwan’s independence, but rejects a forceful annexation by China.
Beijing wants to unite Taiwan with the mainland, if necessary with military force. The Chinese government classifies Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te, who was only sworn in on Monday, as a “separatist” – he has repeatedly announced a decisive stance against Beijing.
Source: Krone
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