China has taken action against nine US defense firms, imposing sanctions on them due to their sales of military equipment to Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing announced the measures, freezing the property of the firms on Chinese territory and prohibiting transactions with China-based entities. The move comes as China continues to pressure Taiwan and demands that the US stop supporting its independence declarations.
The ministry spokesperson stated that the US weapons sales to Taiwan violate the one-China principle, infringe on China’s sovereignty and security interests, and damage China-US relations. The affected firms include Sierra Nevada Corporation, Stick Rudder Enterprises, Cubic Corporation, and others. This comes after the US State Department approved a $228 million sale of spare parts to Taiwan’s military, which the Taiwanese defense ministry said would help maintain combat readiness.
China considers Taiwan its own territory and has increased pressure on the island over the past five years, despite the US remaining Taiwan’s key partner and arms supplier. Tensions between Beijing and Washington have also increased over trade, technology access, and China’s actions in the South China Sea. During a recent meeting between a White House aide and a Chinese military official, China warned that Taiwan’s status is a red line that must not be crossed in US-China relations, demanding the US halt military collaboration with Taiwan.
Overall, the ongoing tensions between China, the US, and Taiwan highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region and the challenges faced by Taiwan as it seeks to maintain its autonomy in the face of increasing pressure from Beijing.
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