China Sanctions US Defense Firms for Taiwan Sales

China imposed sanctions on five American defense-related entities for their involvement in U.S. military sales to Taiwan, a spokesperson for the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Jan. 7, according to an unofficial translation. The designations target BAE Systems Land and Armaments, Alliant Techsystems Operations, AeroVironment, Viasat and Data Link Solutions. Beijing said the sanctions will freeze any of their property in China and bar Chinese businesses, organizations and people “from conducting transactions, cooperation and other activities with them.”

The spokesperson said China urges the U.S. to “abide by international law and the basic norms of international relations, stop arming Taiwan, and stop illegal unilateral sanctions against China.” The country didn’t specify which Taiwan arms deals the firms were involved in.

A Viasat spokesperson said in a Jan. 8 email the company is "in the process of gathering information to better understand any potential impact of these sanctions and will provide further updates when we know more." Alliant Techsystems Operations couldn’t be reached; spokespeople for the other companies didn’t respond to requests for comment.