China has imposed sanctions on nine US defense firms for selling military equipment to Taiwan, a move that is seen as increasing pressure on the island and demanding the US end its support for Taiwan’s declarations of independence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing announced the measures, freezing the property of the firms and prohibiting transactions with China-based entities. China’s spokesman stated that US weapon sales to Taiwan violated the one-China principle and damaged China-US relations. The affected companies include Sierra Nevada Corporation and Cubic Corporation.
The US State Department approved a sale of spare parts valued at $228m to Taiwan’s military, prompting China to demand the US stop supporting Taiwan independence. China views Taiwan as its own territory and has increased pressure to assert its claims, despite US support for Taiwan. China and the US have clashed on trade, technology access, and actions in the South China Sea.
A high-ranking Chinese military official warned the US that Taiwan is a red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations, demanding an end to military collaboration with Taiwan. The US remains Taiwan’s key partner and arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. The tensions between China and the US over Taiwan continue to escalate, adding another layer to their already complicated relationship.
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