China sanctions US companies selling weapons to Taiwan

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The companies General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security will be placed on the list of “ untrusted entities » from the Chinese government, the state media said, citing the Ministry of Commerce.

“ They will be prohibited from any import-export activity linked to the China and banned from any new investment in China », According to the media. “ Senior executives of these companies are banned from entering China, and their work permits will be revoked “, he added.

Announcement as the new Taiwanese president takes office

The announcement comes as the new president of Taiwan Lai Ching-te took office on Monday, under growing pressure from China. He succeeds Tsai Ing-wen whose eight years in office were marked by a deterioration in relations with Beijing.

Beijing considers Taiwan as one of its provinces to be reunified by force if necessary and has referred to Lai Ching-te as “ dangerous separatist “leading Taiwan on the path” of war and decline “. If Washington has recognized Beijing to the detriment of Taipei since 1979, the American Congress has at the same time imposed the provision of weapons to Taiwan, with the stated aim of dissuading China from any expansionist desire.

In April 2024, the United States approved several billion dollars in military aid to Taiwan. This aid is part of a vast $8 billion program to stand up to China militarily by investing in submarines, and economically by competing with major Chinese projects in developing countries.

Military support that increases “ the risk of conflict “, Beijing immediately reacted. “ The United States must […] stop arming Taiwan, stop creating new tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and stop undermining peace and stability on both sides of the Strait », Said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

Read alsoTaiwan: the challenges awaiting new President Lai Ching-te