China has imposed sanctions on five US military equipment manufacturers over recent arms sales to Taiwan.
China has imposed sanctions on US companies for selling weapons to Taiwan
Sanctioned companies include BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat and Data Link Solutions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China stated that the assets of these companies in the PRC territory will be frozen. Chinese organizations and individuals were also prohibited from conducting operations and cooperating with them.
A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said that the latest arms sales "seriously undermine China's sovereignty and security interests and threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
It is worth noting that last month, the US State Department approved the sale of military equipment worth $300 million to support Taiwan's tactical information systems.
Conflict between Taiwan and China
Beijing regards the island of Taiwan as a "separatist province" and is trying to regain complete control over it. However, Taiwan considers itself an independent state with a separate economy and democratically elected leaders.
The United States of America provides military aid to Taiwan. Against this background, the conflict between Washington and Beijing intensified.
Recently, Taiwan reported the resumption of Chinese military activity near the island. Nine Chinese planes and several ships crossed the middle of the strait, which serves as a provisional border.
At the end of December, Chinese leader Xi Jinping announced the imminent "reunification" of Taiwan with mainland China and promised to resolutely oppose any attempts to "separate" the island from China.
In response, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said the people's will should determine her country's relations with China and the world based on "dignity."
