BEIJING — China on Sunday announced sanctions against five U.S. defense-related companies in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and U.S. sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals.
The sanctions will freeze all assets of companies in China and ban organizations and individuals in China from doing business with them, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted online.
The companies are BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat and Data Link Solutions.
The State Department said the US measures have damaged Chinese sovereignty and security interests, undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and violated the rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals.
“The Chinese government remains steadfast in its determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens,” the ministry statement said.
China views Taiwan, a self-governing island off its east coast, as a renegade province that should come under Beijing's control at some point in the future.