China levels sanctions on 7 companies over US military aid to Taiwan

[RYAN ROBERTSON]

BEIJING IS LEVELING SANCTIONS AGAINST SEVEN COMPANIES AND THEIR SENIOR EXECUTIVES OVER U-S MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO TAIWAN.

AMONG THE COMPANIES SANCTIONED ARE BOEING SUBSIDIARY INSITU INC., RTX INC’S RAYTHEON CANADA AND RAYTHEON AUSTRALIA.

THE SANCTIONS FREEZE THE COMPANIES AND EXECS ASSETS IN CHINA AND BAR THEM FROM TRADING OR COLLABORATING WITH BEIJING.

THE MOVE IS RETALIATION FOR U-S MILITARY SALES AND AID TO TAIWAN.

WASHINGTON RECENTLY APPROVED MORE THAN 570 MILLION IN DEFENSE SUPPORT TO THE INDEPENDENTLY GOVERNED ISLAND AND GAVE THE GREENLIGHT TO WEAPONS SALES WORTH AROUND 385 MILLION DOLLARS.

CHINA HAS LONG CLAIMED TAIWAN AS ITS OWN AND NEVER RULED OUT FORCE TO BRING THE ISLAND UNDER ITS CONTROL.

TAIWAN SAYS IT’S A SOVEREIGN NATION AND THE U-S IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO DEFEND THE ISLAND.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, TAIWAN SAYS CHINA SENT DOZENS OF MILITARY VESSELS TO BLOCKADE THE ISLAND, WHICH TAIPEI SAYS THREATENS PEACE AND STABILITY AS WELL AS TRADE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC.

CHINA’S SANCTIONS ARE ALSO IN RESPONSE TO THE APPROVAL OF THE U-S’ ANNUAL DEFENSE SPENDING BILL, WHICH THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY SAYS, “INCLUDES MULTIPLE NEGATIVE SECTIONS ON CHINA.”

THE DEFENSE BILL ALSO REPORTEDLY DIRECTS MORE RESOURCES TOWARD A MORE CONFRONTATIONAL APPROACH TOWARD BEIJING.

WHILE EXPANDING A BAN ON U-S MILITARY PURCHASES OF CHINESE PRODUCTS, LIKE DRONE TECHNOLOGY.

CHINA CLAIMS THE U-S IS USING THE “SO-CALLED” THREAT FROM BEIJING TO RATIONALIZE BOOSTING ITS MILITARY BUDGET.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M RYAN ROBERTSON.