The US Department of State yesterday urged Beijing to cease military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan.
The remarks came in response to China on Friday announcing fresh sanctions on 20 US defense firms, including a Boeing branch, over Washington’s arms sales to Taiwan.
Taipei said this month that Washington had approved US$11 billion in arms sales in what would be one of the largest weapons packages for the nation.
Photo: Reuters
China criticized the deal and announced new sanctions on Friday against Boeing’s defense manufacturing center in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as aerospace giant Northrop Grumman and others.
The arms sales “violate the one-China principle... seriously damaging China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
China also sanctioned 10 industry executives, banning them from entering the country, including Hong Kong and Macau.
A spokesperson for the State Department yesterday stated opposition to Beijing’s actions.
The US strongly opposes retaliation against US companies for supporting arms sales to Taiwan, they said, adding that the purpose of these arms sales is to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
The spokesperson also urged Beijing to stop exerting military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.
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