China Sanctions 9 US Military-Linked Firms Over Taiwan Arms Sales

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Facts

  • On Wednesday, China's foreign ministry announced sanctions on nine US military-linked companies over arms sales to Taiwan. Beijing considers the self-ruled island its breakaway province.[1][2]
  • The affected military contractors for the Pentagon are Sierra Nevada Corporation, Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, Cubic Corporation, S3 AeroDefense, TCOM, TextOre, Planate Management Group, ACT1 Federal, and Exovera.[3][4]
  • The ministry said that their properties in China, both movable and immovable, would be seized with immediate effect. Additionally, PRC residents and entities have been prohibited from transacting with the firms.[5]
  • This comes after the US State Department on Monday approved a possible foreign military sale of spare parts valued at about $228M to Taiwan's military.[6]
  • Beijing said the 'resolute countermeasures' had been taken after Washington 'seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and security interests, and damaged China-US relations.'[4]
  • The Chinese foreign ministry added that Washington's arms sales to Taipei 'seriously violated the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques,' and asked the US to 'stop conniving and supporting Taiwan independence.'[7][8]

Sources: [1]Reuters (a), [2]BBC News, [3]Firstpost, [4]South China Morning Post, [5]XINHUA, [6]Reuters (b), [7]AA and [8]Al Jazeera.

Narratives

  • Pro-China narrative, as provided by China. Such measures are necessary to prevent any entities from violating the previously agreed-upon One China principle and driving a wedge between Taiwan and mainland China. By continuing to arm Taiwan and support its independence, the US threatens the PRC's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity and endangers cross-strait peace and stability. The White House must desist from engaging with Taipei's secessionist leaders and immediately halt military collusion with Taiwan.
  • Anti-China narrative, as provided by BBC News. The US doesn't recognize Taiwan as an independent state. However, Washington is against usurping the island by force and is legally bound to support Taiwan’s defensive capability, modernize its military, and expand its presence in global activities. Though Taiwan is a flash point in US-China relations, the White House will continue to aid the island to minimize its vulnerabilities to China's invasive tactics.

Predictions