China Sanctions Five US Defense Industry Companies

Two flags, the United States (US) and China, flew together at a pole. (Between/Xinhua)

JAKARTA - Chinese authorities have sanctioned five defense industry companies from the United States in response to a similar move by Washington, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Sunday.

Wang told reporters the action was taken after the US called for arms sales to Taiwan and Washington sanctioned Chinese businesses and individuals for different reasons.

He described Washington's arms sales to Taiwan as "real violation of one of China's principles," and Wang criticized the "illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the US against Chinese companies and individuals for the wrong reasons," claiming that they were very detrimental to China's sovereignty and security interests.

US sanctions also "corrupt the peace and stability along the Taiwan Strait, as well as violate the legitimate rights and interests of the sanctions-affected Chinese actors," he said.

"In response to major wrong actions by the US and in accordance with China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Act, China has decided to impose sanctions on five US defense industry companies, namely BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat and Link Solution Data," Wang said, as reported by Antara.

"The countermeasures consist of freezing the company's property in China, including movable and immovable property, as well as prohibiting organizations and individuals in China from making transactions and cooperating with them," he added.

China, which considers Taiwan a separate province, does not recognize the median line or air defense zone. But Tawan insisted on defending his independence since 1949.