China sanctions 3 US defense firms on Taiwan leader's inauguration day

China's Ministry of Commerce on May 20 announced sanctions against three US defense companies, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. These companies are banned from import and export activities related to China and are prohibited from making new investments in the country, according to Xinhua.

A US-made AIM-120 missile is transported at a base in Taiwan in 2022.

The executives of the three companies were banned from entering China and their work permits will be revoked, along with their residence and travel permits.

General Atomics makes drones and in March received a $250 million contract to supply the MQ-9B SkyGuardian model to Taiwan, according to Airforce-Technology .

General Dynamics operates aircraft services in China and also helps build the Abrams tanks Taiwan buys. Boeing once received a contract to produce Harpoon missiles for Taiwan.

In April, China froze the assets and banned executives from General Atomics and General Dynamics from entering the country.

The new sanctions were issued on the same day that new Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te took office. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the same day that the US looked forward to working with Lai to advance common interests and maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan conducts live-fire drills ahead of leadership transition

In April, the US approved a major military aid package for Taiwan, including $1.9 billion to replenish the military equipment stocks of the island and other US partners. Taipei and other regional partners of Washington also received $2 billion in military financial aid.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trung-quoc-cam-van-3-hang-quoc-phong-my-trong-ngay-lanh-dao-dai-loan-nham-chuc-185240520093927138.htm