A+ A-

China to impose sanctions on US companies over arms sales to Taiwan

TOKYO, July 12 (KUNA) -- China said Friday it will impose sanctions on US companies involved in arms sales to Taiwan, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
"The arms sales to Taiwan by the US are serious violations of the international law, the basic norms of international relations, the one-China principle and the three joint communiques between China and the US," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang was quoted as saying in Beijing.
Geng's comments came after the US earlier announced a plan of selling weapons worth USD 2.22 billion to Taiwan, including M1A2 Abrams tanks and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
"The sales undermined China's sovereignty and national security. In order to safeguard national interests. China will impose sanctions on US companies involved in the arms sales to Taiwan," Geng said.
China and Taiwan separated after a civil war in 1949, but Beijing still sees the island as its territory. The US ended formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, but has remained its arms supplier. (end) mk.mt