China has imposed sanctions against the United States for selling arms to Taiwan – the country’s Foreign Ministry announced this on 26 December.
According to the statement, the decision to supply weapons “undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Restrictions were imposed on 20 military-industrial companies from the United States and 10 top managers of defence corporations. The sanctions include freezing of assets and a ban on cooperation with organisations and individuals on the list. Individuals are also banned from entering China.
The decision to impose sanctions comes into force on 26 December.
Earlier in December, the administration of US President Donald Trump approved the sale of a record batch of arms to Taiwan – worth $11.1 billion. The package, in particular, included HIMARS systems, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius drones, howitzers and components for other equipment.
China’s Foreign Ministry criticised the decision. The ministry said it would violate diplomatic agreements between China and the US, seriously harm China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and undermine regional stability.
China considers Taiwan its territory. The PRC authorities have repeatedly said that they are ready to take the island under their control by force. Bloomberg estimates in 2024 that if China attacked Taiwan, a war would cost 10 per cent of global GDP and would result in a direct military clash between the PRC and the US.
Any potential military conflict around the island could involve the US, which is a member of several regional coalitions and, according to laws in the United States, considers any threats to Taiwan as a problem of “exceptional gravity”.