China sanctions U.S. military companies over arms sales to Taiwan

China imposed sanctions on 13 U.S. military companies on Thursday following its latest arms sales to Taiwan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement came after the United States allowed Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to visit Hawaii.

The move comes amid China's strong opposition to a U.S.-authorized sale of $385 million in F-16 jet and radar spare parts and support to Taiwan, which Beijing says undermines its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

See also: Chinese industry body claims buying U.S. chips 'unsafe'

China considers Taiwan its territory, and President Lai is a dangerous separatist who opposes any foreign exchanges or visits by Taiwanese leaders.

Companies targeted by sanctions include Treydyne Brown Engineering Company, BRINC drone and Shield Artificial Intelligencethe Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.

Other companies facing sanctions are FAST FLIGHT LIMITED., Red Six Solution, Senix, firestorm labs, Kratos drone system, Catastrophe Artificial Intelligence, Niros Technology, Cyberlux Corporation, Domo Tactical Communications and Group W.

In addition, China will freeze the assets of six senior executives from the following five companies: Raytheon, British Aerospace Systems and United Technologies Corporationin China and ban their entry.

Chinese organizations and individuals are also prohibited from dealing with it.

• Reuters Additional editing by Jim Pollard

See also:

Trump says he will impose high tariffs on China if it occupies Taiwan

China freezes assets of U.S. companies linked to Taiwanese weapons

New U.S. chip equipment export rules will hit Taiwan and ASEAN countries

China tells Taiwanese 'don't worry' about execution threat

TSMC stock price falls due to Trump's remarks that “Taiwan should pay for defense expenses”

After threats, companies want to move Taiwanese employees out of China

China and the United States hold informal nuclear talks to discuss Taiwan issue

Xi Jinping claims “the United States wants China to invade Taiwan” – FT

China releases video simulating invasion of Taiwan

Chairman Lai urges China to accept Taiwan’s existence – Nikkei

Taiwanese businesses target Southeast Asian havens in case of Chinese invasion – FT

China's defense spending grows by 7% as Taiwan's reunification changes

Jim Pollard

Jim Pollard is an Australian journalist based in Thailand since 1999. He served as a senior editor at The Nation for more than 17 years.