China Sanctions 20 US Defense Firms over Taiwan Arms Sales

China has announced sweeping counter-sanctions against 20 US companies operating in the military and defense sector, escalating tensions with Washington over arms sales to Taiwan.

In a statement released on Friday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the measures were imposed in response to recent US approvals of large-scale weapons sales to Taiwan, which Beijing views as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the total value of the approved arms, equipment, and military services for Taiwan exceeds $11 billion.

The packages include Javelin missile systems, ALTIUS-700M and ALTIUS-600 unmanned aerial systems, spare parts for AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters, HIMARS rocket artillery systems, M107A7 self-propelled howitzers, and TOW anti-tank missile systems.

The Chinese foreign ministry said the US decision seriously violates the One China principle and the three China–US joint communiqués, constitutes blatant interference in China’s internal affairs, and undermines China’s sovereignty and security.

Citing China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, the ministry said it had decided to take countermeasures against the following US defense-related companies and their executives:

• Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

• L3Harris Maritime Services

• Boeing in St. Louis

• Gibbs & Cox Inc.

• Advanced Acoustic Concepts

• VSE Corporation

• Sierra Technical Services Inc.

• Red Cat Holdings Inc.

• Teal Drones Inc.

• ReconCraft

• High Point Aerotechnologies

• Epirus Inc.

• Dedrone Holdings Inc.

• Area-I

• Blue Force Technologies

• Dive Technologies

• Vantor

• Intelligent Epitaxy Technology Inc.

• Rhombus Power Inc.

• Lazarus Enterprises Inc.

Under the sanctions, all movable and immovable property, as well as other assets belonging to the listed companies within Chinese territory, will be frozen. Chinese organizations and individuals are prohibited from engaging in any transactions or cooperation with them.

Additionally, restrictions have been imposed on 10 senior executives affiliated with some of the sanctioned firms. Their assets in China have been frozen, and they are banned from entering the country, including Hong Kong and Macau.

The measures are set to take effect on December 26, further intensifying the ongoing China–US dispute over Taiwan and military cooperation in the region.