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US-China relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Beijing to impose sanctions on US defence firms Lockheed and Raytheon over arms sales to Taiwan

  • Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin says US$100 million deal approved two weeks ago is a serious infringement of sovereignty
  • He calls on US government to stop weapons sales to the island and says ‘all necessary measures’ will be taken to safeguard interests

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Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies would be subject to sanctions but did not give further details. Photo: AP
Laura Zhou
Beijing on Monday said it would impose sanctions on two American defence companies in retaliation to the latest US arms sale to Taiwan.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters that Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies would be subject to sanctions for their “long-term involvement in US arms sales” to the island.

The US$100 million deal – approved by the US two weeks ago and aimed at upgrading Taiwan’s Patriot missile defence system – was a serious infringement of China’s sovereignty and security interests, Wang said.
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“China once again urges the US government to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiques, and to stop arms sales to Taiwan and US-Taiwan military ties,” Wang said, referring to statements that included an agreement by the US to gradually reduce arms sales to the island.

“China will continue to take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty and security interests in the light of developments in this situation.”

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Wang said the “countermeasures” were in accordance with China’s anti-sanctions law. The law, which was passed in June, provides legal backing for Beijing to take retaliatory measures against foreign individuals and entities perceived to be interfering in China’s internal affairs, including by seizing assets and imposing business restrictions.

The foreign ministry spokesman did not give further details of the sanctions or how they would be carried out. The two US defence firms do not do any business with mainland China.

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