China sanctions 5 US defence firms over Taiwan arms deal, escalating tensions

Bejing: China has put sanctions on five American defence-related companies as a response to United States selling arms to Taiwan and imposing sanctions on Chinese firms and individuals. Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that se sanctions will freeze any assets se companies have in China and stop organisations and individuals in China from doing business with m. affected companies are BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat, and Data Link Solutions.

Foreign Ministry mentioned that actions by US have harmed China's sovereignty and security interests, disrupted peace and stability in Taiwan Strait, and violated rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals.

 It underlined China's commitment to protect its national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and lawful rights of its companies and citizens. China considers Taiwan, an independently governed island near its coast, as part of its territory that should ultimately be under Beijing's control.