The Chinese foreign ministry announced Friday that Northrop Grumman (NOC.N) and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) will face sanctions for selling weapons to Taiwan. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing that China’s Anti-Foreign Measures Law applies to the measures.
“We urge the U.S. side to effectively abide by the one-China principle… cease U.S.-Taiwan military liaison and stop arming Taiwan, or face a resolute and forceful retaliation by China,” she added.
On Aug. 24, Mao cited Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Missouri division as the prime contractor for an arms sale to Taiwan and said Northrop Grumman has frequently sold weapons to Taiwan.
China has repeatedly sanctioned U.S. corporations for selling weapons to Taiwan, but how or why is unclear. Neither company sells to China.
According to a congressional letter, President Joe Biden approved the transfer of up to $80 million in Foreign Military Financing money to Taiwan last month.
During a week of military operations around the democratically-governed island, a Chinese naval formation led by Shandong’s aircraft carrier went within 60 nautical miles (111 km) of Taiwan’s southeast.
Taiwan also reported scores of Chinese fighters, bombers, and other aircraft entering its air defense zone this week.
Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province that must recognize Chinese sovereignty and has never renounced force.
China’s broad anti-sanction law took effect in 2021, legalizing retaliation against international sanctions.
It is part of a suite of rules Beijing has implemented recently that critics think may allow China to monitor countries’ behavior toward it abroad.
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