The Chinese government has announced sweeping sanctions against 20 United States military-related companies and 10 senior executives in response to what it described as a renewed round of large-scale American arms sales to Taiwan.
A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the decision on Friday while responding to media questions about information published on the ministry’s official website detailing the countermeasures.
According to the spokesperson, the sanctions were imposed in accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Countering Foreign Sanctions, which empowers Beijing to take retaliatory action against foreign entities and individuals deemed to have harmed China’s national interests.
The Foreign Ministry said the affected companies and executives were targeted for their direct involvement in supplying weapons and military equipment to Taiwan in recent years, particularly following the latest announcement by Washington approving additional arms sales to the island.
Reiterating Beijing’s long-standing position, the ministry stressed that the Taiwan issue remains the most sensitive and central concern in China–US relations.
“The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China–US relations,” the spokesperson said.
China warned that any actions perceived as challenging its sovereignty over Taiwan would be met with firm and decisive responses.
The spokesperson stated that companies and individuals involved in arms sales to Taiwan “will pay the price for the wrongdoing,” adding that Beijing’s countermeasures were both legitimate and necessary.
The ministry further emphasised that China’s determination to safeguard its territorial integrity should not be underestimated.
“No country or force shall ever underestimate the resolve, will and ability of the Chinese government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the spokesperson said.
Beijing also urged the United States to strictly adhere to the one-China principle and the three China–US joint communiqués, which form the political foundation of bilateral relations.
The Foreign Ministry called on Washington to honour commitments repeatedly made by successive US administrations regarding Taiwan.
China warned that continued arms sales to Taiwan undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and send what it described as dangerous signals to pro-independence forces on the island.
“China once again urges the US to stop the dangerous moves of arming Taiwan, stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and stop sending wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” the spokesperson said.
The ministry added that China would continue to take resolute and effective measures to firmly defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, signalling that further countermeasures could follow if US arms sales to Taiwan persist.
The latest sanctions come amid heightened tensions between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan, trade, and regional security, with the Taiwan issue remaining a persistent flashpoint in the already strained relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
