China has announced new sanctions on 20 United States defence companies, including a branch of Boeing, in response to Washington’s latest arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

 

 

 

The sanctions were disclosed after the United States approved what Taipei described as one of its largest defence packages in recent years, valued at about $11 billion. The United States has long been Taiwan’s primary arms supplier, despite China’s opposition and its refusal to rule out the use of force to bring the island under its control.

 

 

 

 

In a statement, China said the latest measures target Boeing’s defence manufacturing unit in St. Louis, as well as major aerospace and defence contractor Northrop Grumman, among others. Some of the affected firms have previously been sanctioned by Beijing and are believed to have little or no commercial operations in China.

 

 

 

Under the new sanctions, Chinese entities are prohibited from engaging in business dealings with the listed companies, and any assets they hold within China will be frozen. Beijing also announced sanctions against 10 senior executives from the affected firms, barring them from entering mainland China, as well as Hong Kong and Macau.

 

 

 

 

China’s foreign ministry said the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan “violate the one-China principle” and “seriously damage China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Neither Boeing nor Northrop Grumman responded to requests for comment.

 

 

 

The move adds to rising tensions between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan, which China regards as a core national interest, while the United States continues to maintain military and political support for the island.