China has announced sanctions against five US arms manufacturers over weapons sales to Taiwan. Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve its goals, while the United States is required by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. The sanctions come ahead of Taiwan\u2019s January 13 presidential and parliamentary elections, which China has claimed are a choice between war and peace. Last month, the US State Department approved a $300m arms package to strengthen Taipei\u2019s joint battle command and control system, prompting Beijing to say it would take unspecified \u201ccountermeasures\u201d against the companies involved. China\u2019s Foreign Ministry on Sunday sanctioned the companies BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat and Data Link Solutions. \u201cThe countermeasures consist of freezing the properties of those companies in China, including their movable and immovable property, and prohibiting organisations and individuals in China from transactions and cooperation with them,\u201d the ministry said in a statement. \u201cThe US arms sales to China\u2019s Taiwan region seriously harm China\u2019s sovereignty and security interests,\u201d it added. Beijing has increased pressure on Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen was first elected president in 2016, claiming she wants independence. Tsai has said it is up to the people of Taiwan to decide their future. Her vice president, William Lai, is running for the top job against Hou Yu-ih of the more China-friendly KMT. Taiwan has reported regular sightings of Chinese warplanes and balloons around the island in the weeks running up to the election and has warned Beijing against seeking to influence the outcome of the poll.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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