China to sanction Boeing and Lockheed Martin over arms sales to Taiwan

China on Monday said that it will impose sanctions on US companies — including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon — and individuals that have been involved in selling weapons to Taiwan.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon are among the list of U.S. businesses that will face Chinese sanctions over arms sales to China’s Taiwan, announced Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian during a news conference in Beijing, according to local broadcaster ECNS.

“To safeguard China’s national interests, the central government decided to take necessary measures to impose sanctions on U.S. entities participating in the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, and Raytheon,” Zhao told reporters at Monday’s daily press briefing.

U.S. entities and individuals with egregious records in arms sales will also be sanctioned, Zhao added without specifying how many in total.

Last week, China strong objected against the arm sales and warned of a “necessary response.”

On October 21, the U.S. approved a potential sale of three weapons systems to Taiwan, including sensors, missiles, and artillery that could have a total value of $1.8 billion.

The move has angered China which said such a move “severely violated the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communique.”