China responds to US weapons sales to Taiwan, sanctions 5 American defence entities

China slapped penalties on five US defense-related companies on Sunday, January 7, in what is believed to be retaliation for the US arms sales to Taiwan and the US sanctions imposed on Chinese persons and companies. The Chinese foreign ministry stated in an online statement that the sanctioned companies’ properties will be frozen in China and that persons and organizations will not be allowed to conduct business there due to the newly implemented sanctions. BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat, and Data Link Solutions are the US companies which have been sanctioned by China. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, US actions infringed the rights and interests of China, undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and hurt China’s sovereignty and security interests. “The Chinese government remains unwavering in our resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens,” the statement said. Taiwan is a self-governing island nation off the coast of China, and Beijing views it as a province gone wild that will eventually have to submit to Chinese rule. (With agency inputs)