China imposes sanctions on five US defense companies

Chinese authorities will impose retaliatory sanctions against five American companies in connection with US arms supplies to the Taiwanese administration and Washington's restrictions on Chinese enterprises and individuals. This was reported by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. “The United States is openly violating the ‘one China’ principle by selling weapons to the Taiwan region of China, and under various pretexts is imposing illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese enterprises and individuals,” said a statement published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. “In response to the above serious violations of the American side in accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Counteracting Foreign Sanctions. China has decided to impose sanctions against the companies BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat and Data Link Solutions." As the Chinese Foreign Ministry clarified, the imposed sanctions provide for the freezing of assets, including the real estate of these companies on Chinese territory. “Organizations and individuals are prohibited from entering into transactions with them, collaborating, or carrying out other types of interaction,” the PRC Foreign Ministry emphasizes in a statement. It notes that by its actions, the United States undermines sovereignty, infringes on China's security interests, the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises and individuals, and "causes serious harm to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." “China is categorically dissatisfied with such measures and resolutely opposes them,” the statement said. “The Chinese government is firmly committed to protecting the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of its country, and the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens. We insist that the American side adhere to the principle" one China" and the provisions of the three joint communiques of China and the United States, respected international law and basic norms of international relations, and stopped arming Taiwan and imposing illegal unilateral sanctions on the PRC." Washington's military-technical cooperation with Taipei is causing concern in Beijing. Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949, but according to the position supported by most countries, including Russia, it is considered one of the Chinese provinces. The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 and established them with the PRC. Recognizing the “one China” policy, the United States continues to maintain contacts with the Taipei administration and supplies the island with weapons.