BEIJING: China on Thursday imposed sanctions on 10 US defense firms for selling arms to Taiwan for the second time in less than a week.
Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Raytheon subsidiaries that “participated in arms sales to Taiwan” were added to China’s “list of untrustworthy entities,” the country’s commerce ministry said.
They will be prohibited from engaging in import and export activities or making new investments in China, while their senior managers will be banned from entering the country, the ministry said.
Last Friday, China announced sanctions on seven US military industrial companies, including Boeing subsidiary Insitu, over US military aid to Taiwan.
The self-ruled island is a major point of contention between Beijing and Washington.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will not back down from using force to bring it under its control.
Washington does not recognize the island republic diplomatically but is its strategic ally and largest supplier of arms.
In December, US President Joe Biden agreed to provide $571.3 million in defense aid to Taiwan.
The spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a regular press conference last Friday that these measures interfere in China’s internal affairs and harm China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan in recent years and has held three rounds of major military exercises since President Lai Ching-te came to power in May.
On Thursday, China’s Ministry of Commerce also added 28 US entities to its export control list, mostly defense firms, banning them from exporting dual-use items.
General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin Corp., and Boeing Defense, Space and Security were among those involved “to meet international obligations such as non-proliferation and protection of national security and interests,” the ministry said.