China to impose sanctions on five US companies over weapons for Taiwan

Chinese authorities will impose retaliatory sanctions against five American companies in connection with US arms supplies to Taiwan and restrictions that Washington previously imposed against Chinese individuals and entities. This is stated in a message from the Chinese Foreign Ministry .

The department said that the United States is “openly violating the “one China” principle by selling weapons to a republic that China considers its region. In addition, Washington, under various pretexts, is introducing illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals, the Foreign Ministry believes.

“In response to the above serious violations by the American side, in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, China has decided to impose sanctions on BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat and Data Link Solutions,” the statement said.

The department clarified that the sanctions imply the freezing of assets, including real estate in China. Organizations and individuals will be prohibited from entering into transactions with them, collaborating or interacting in any other form.

Taiwan in 1949 became a refuge for the government of the Republic of China and the Kuomintang Party, which lost to the Communists in the civil war. They did not recognize the legitimacy of the new Chinese authorities and did not agree to consider themselves part of the country, subject to the communists. Beijing, in turn, does not recognize the sovereignty of Taiwan and considers it one of its provinces.

The US does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but sells weapons to it under the Taiwan Relations Act, passed in 1979. The document provides for the supply of weapons to the country for self-defense. Washington maintains official relations with China, and at the diplomatic level agrees with Beijing's position that there is only one Chinese government .

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Beijing considers arms sales to Taiwan a violation of the “one China” principle and calls on the United States to stop it. Chinese authorities have repeatedly stated their intention to unite Taiwan with mainland China. President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping warned that the country is ready to use force against Taiwan if external forces intervene in the situation.