Supply Of Weapons To Taiwan, China Sanctions US Company Lockheed Martin

JAKARTA - The Chinese government has imposed sanctions on security and aerospace companies from the United States (US) Lockheed Martin for supplying weapons to Taiwan.

"China is taking countermeasures against senior companies and executives involved in arms sales to Taiwan," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a news conference in Beijing.

Mao Ning said the sale of weapons from the US to Taiwanese territory in China violated the principles of "One China" and three communiques with China-US, interfering in domestic affairs as well as weakening the sovereignty and integrity of China's territory.

The Taiwan problem, according to Mao Ning, is at the heart of China's core interests and is the first unpassable red line in China-US relations.

"No country, organization, or individual may underestimate the determination and strong ability of the Chinese government and people to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity, or be under the illusion that they can go beyond or even cross the line in Taiwan's problems without any consequences," said Mao Ning.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that since June 21, 2024, the Chinese government has imposed sanctions on senior entities and management under the company Lockheed Martin.

The decision is based on articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 15 of China's Foreign Anti-sanctions Law.

The entities and management that are subject to sanctions are the first, Lockheed Martin's Integrated Missile Laboratory, Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Laboratory, Lockheed Martin's Ventura Company, and other entities listed on the "Restriction List" will be frozen in Chinese territory.

Second, property assets, mobile goods and other types in the name of Lockheed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Donald Tailett, Chief Operating Officer (COO)Frank Andrew St. John, Jesus Malave's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who is in Chinese territory is frozen.

The Chinese government also prohibits these organizations and individuals from making transactions, cooperation, and other activities for themselves in China. Visa will not be issued to them, including in Hong Kong and Macau.

Most recently, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday (19/6) announced approval for arms sales of up to 720 Switchblade 300, 291 ALTIUS 600M-V units to Taiwan, 101 units of SB300 fire control systems and other equipment.

The equipment is estimated to be worth up to 300 million US dollars, while the anti-tank guitar system (ATGW) and other equipment are worth up to about 60.2 million US dollars, which was a package selling 15th arms to Taiwan during the administration of US President Joe Biden.

Switchblade 300 is a precision attack missile that can be deployed quickly by conventional forces and specifically from a position moving in the field or from a fixed defensive position to target objects beyond the line of sight.

The sale of the US weapons package to Taiwan is expected to be delivered in 2024-2025. The weapons designed to operate around the target area and then attack when visible so that they can respond to enemy threats more quickly.

The ammunition supply complements Taiwan's various precision missiles, coupled with domestically produced drones, will accelerate Taiwan's efforts to create a layered prevention system.