China sanctions two US military giants for arms sales to Taiwan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Sep 2023 19:37
1 Shares

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson says Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman were involved in weapons sales to Taiwan in recent months.

A Chinese and a US flag wave outside a commercial building in Beijing on July 9, 2007 (AFP)

China has announced sanctions against US aerospace and defense companies Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman for supplying weapons to Taiwan, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday.

These sanctions are being implemented under China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, as explained by Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning during a regular press briefing.

"We urge the U.S. side to effectively abide by the one-China principle... cease U.S.-Taiwan military liaison and stop arming Taiwan, or else it will be subject to a resolute and forceful retaliation by the Chinese side," she said.

Mao identified Lockheed Martin Corp's Missouri division as the primary contractor directly engaged in an arms transaction with Taiwan on August 24. Additionally, she noted that Northrop Grumman has been consistently involved in the sale of weaponry to Taiwan.

China has previously imposed sanctions on American companies for selling arms to the island.

In April, Beijing extended pre-existing sanctions on Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missiles & Defense and prohibited domestic companies from doing business with the US military giants. The two military producers were barred from "participating in import and export activities connected to China."

US President Joe Biden approved last month the allocation of up to $80 million in funds to Taipei through the Foreign Military Financing program, as reported to Congress. This came after Washington announced in July a $345 million military package for Taiwan at expedited rates.

China considers the One China principle a main condition when engaging with foreign countries. The political doctrine was reached during a joint communique between the US and the PRC where the latter "acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China" and "does not challenge that position."

But in recent years, despite claiming otherwise, the US has been breaching its commitment to the policy, as it held several high-level talks with Taiwanese officials, boosted weapons sales to the island, and increased its military presence in the Taiwan Strait.