Space News from SpaceDaily.com
China sanctions US firms over Taiwan military support
ADVERTISEMENT


Beijing, Dec 27 (AFP) Dec 27, 2024
China on Friday slapped sanctions on seven US companies after Washington's approval last week of a $571.3 million military aid package to Taiwan, which Beijing said infringed on its "sovereignty and territory".

Last Friday, US President Joe Biden authorised the drawdown of up to $571.3 million for defence assistance to the self-ruled island, which China regards as its own territory.

Washington's actions "interfere in China's internal affairs, and undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity", the Chinese foreign ministry said as it announced the sanctions.

The statement also hit out at Washington's 2025 defence budget, which includes a security cooperation initiative with Taiwan, as well as calls for strengthened defence industrial cooperation with Taipei.

Beijing will freeze the China assets of US defence companies Insitu, Hudson Technologies, Saronic Technologies, Aerkomm and Oceaneering International, as well as Raytheon's Canada and Australia subsidiaries, the ministry said.

The sanctions, which kick in on Friday, also prohibit the targeted companies from doing business with organisations and individuals inside China.

The United States does not officially recognise Taiwan diplomatically but it is the self-ruled island's strategic ally and largest supplier of weapons.

China, which has said it will use force to bring Taiwan under its control if necessary, has intensified pressure on the island in recent years.

It has staged three rounds of major military drills since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te came to power in May.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning warned the United States' support for Taiwan "will only burn itself".

"China will continue to take all necessary measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," Mao said at a press conference.

Friday's announcement follows previous sanctions declared earlier this month against 13 US firms for selling arms to Taiwan.


ADVERTISEMENT





Space News from SpaceDaily.com
Hotfire test prepares Blue Origin's New Glenn for maiden flight
From commercial Moon landers to asteroid investigations, the year ahead
Launch of China's Lijian 1 Y6 commercial rocket ends in failure

24/7 Energy News Coverage
Materials with unexpected electronic properties found in twisted layers
Are we ready for the ethical challenges of AI and robots
Nanotechnology discovery unlocks unique molecular interactions using light

Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense
Turkey's Baykar to buy Piaggio aerospace: Italy
Iran FM warns against 'destructive interference' in Syria's future
Israel says intercepted missile from Yemen, day after Sanaa hit with strikes

24/7 News Coverage
China builds large commercial radar satellite constellation
Changes in store for atmospheric rivers
New study uncovers variety in Arctic Ocean hydrothermal vent systems



All rights reserved. Copyright Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.