Iran Press/Asia: The Chinese foreign ministry said in a brief statement that the move by Washington had violated China’s territorial sovereignty and national security.
“To protect our national interest, China will impose sanctions on the US companies involved in the arms sale,” ministry spokesman Geng Shuang was quoted as saying, Press TV reported.
Beijing has made repeated calls to the US for it to stop engaging in military exchanges with Taiwan, with the latest remarks coming after Washington on Monday approved the sale of US$2.2 billion worth of military equipment to the self-ruled island.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on a visit to Budapest on Friday that the US should stop “playing with fire”.
Beijing last used the threat of sanctions to punish US firms in 2015, after Washington approved a US$1.83 billion arms deal with Taiwan, saying that its determination to protect its territorial integrity was unshakeable.
Beijing considers Taiwan a wayward province awaiting reunification with the mainland fold, by force if necessary. It has become increasingly upset by American arms and strategic support for the island in countering Beijing’s military expansion since Trump became president.
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