BEIJING, China — China has imposed sanctions on 12 U.S. defense-related companies and 10 executives in response to American arms sales to Taiwan and earlier U.S. sanctions on Chinese firms linked to Russia.
The sanctioned entities include subsidiaries of prominent defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and IronMountain Solutions. High-ranking executives from these firms are also targeted by the sanctions.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified the measures by accusing the U.S. of “indiscriminately imposing illegal unilateral sanctions on a number of Chinese entities on the grounds of so-called Russian-related factors” and continuing arms sales to Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has consistently opposed any foreign military support to the island.
The sanctions, implemented under China’s Anti-Foreign Sanction Law, will freeze the assets of these businesses within China and ban the affected individuals and their immediate families from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau. Additionally, these firms and executives are prohibited from conducting business with Chinese companies. While the immediate economic impact of these sanctions might be limited, the symbolic nature of the measures underscores the deepening rift between China and the U.S.
This latest action follows a series of retaliatory measures. On May 1, the U.S. imposed sanctions on hundreds of companies and individuals linked to Russia’s weapons development program, which included several Chinese entities accused of aiding Moscow in evading sanctions. In response, China has progressively targeted U.S. companies involved in arms sales to Taiwan, including Boeing Defense, Space & Security, and individuals like Mike Gallagher, a former Republican representative known for his support of Taiwan.
The sanctions announced on Wednesday build on previous actions from last year, which barred Lockheed Martin and Raytheon’s missile division from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country.
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