China on Thursday imposed sanctions on US defense equipment makers Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies for selling weapons to Taiwan, stepping up efforts to isolate what it considers a province.
As such, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missiles and Defense, a division of Raytheon Technologies, cannot sell to China or make new investments in the country, China’s Commerce Ministry said in a statement.
Manufacturers have been added to a list of “untrustworthy” companies whose activities are restricted because they could jeopardize China’s national sovereignty, security or development interests.
It is not clear what effects the sanctions may have. The United States has already banned the sale of most military equipment to China, but some suppliers have facilities that manufacture equipment for civilian use in aerospace and other fields.
China and Taiwan have existed as two autonomous territories since 1949, when the former Chinese Nationalist government took refuge on the island after losing a civil war against the Communists. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and threatens to reunite it by force if the island formally declares independence.
In recent years, China has stepped up efforts to intimidate Taiwan, increasingly sending aircraft and warships closer to the island.
The United States has no official relationship with Taiwan, but maintains extensive commercial and informal contacts. The United States is the main supplier of military equipment to Taiwan.
Raytheon Missiles and Defense, a division of Raytheon Technologies, was awarded a $412 million contract last September to upgrade Taiwanese military radars as part of a $1.1 billion package to sell U.S. defense equipment to the island.
Manufacturer Boeing Defense has been awarded a $355 million contract to supply Harpoon missiles.
Beijing responded to the sale with sanctions against Raytheon and Boeing Defense executives, but did not provide details about its content.
Lockheed Martin has supplied the Taiwanese military with radar, helicopters and air traffic control equipment. The American manufacturer plays an important role in the island’s fighter and frigate development program.
In China, Lockheed Martin previously sold air traffic control equipment for civilian airports and helicopters for commercial use.
In 2019, Beijing announced the creation of a list of “untrustworthy individuals” in response to restrictions imposed by the United States on the telecommunications group Huawei.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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