China announces sanctions on US companies selling arms to Taiwan

(Baonghean.vn) - On December 17, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the government and companies of this country will not cooperate with US businesses participating in arms sales to Taiwan.

The US has approved a $1.83 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including two destroyers. Photo: AFP

China has summoned the US charge d'affaires in Beijing to protest and said it will impose sanctions on the companies involved, Xinhua reported. "Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. China firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan," said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang.

Meanwhile, the White House said there was no change in the US's "one China" policy and that arms sales were in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act.

Previously, on December 16, the Obama administration officially submitted to the US Congress a plan to sell a $1.83 billion arms package to Taiwan. According to Reuters, the package includes two warships, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger shoulder-fired air defense missiles, amphibious assault vehicles and other military equipment. This is the first major US arms sale to Taiwan in more than four years.

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)