(Photo by Maxim Shemetov / POOL / AFP)Beijing imposed sanctions on Friday against 20 US defence-related companies and 10 executives, a week after Washington announced large-scale arms sales to Taiwan, Associated Press reports. The sanctions entail freezing the companies’ assets in China and banning individuals and organisations from dealing with them, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Any company or individual who engages in arms sales to Taiwan will pay the price for the wrongdoing”, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday. China says that the US arms sales to Taiwan would violate diplomatic agreements between China and the USChina’s military has increased its presence in Taiwan’s skies and waters in the past few years, holding joint drills with its warships and fighter jets on a near-daily basis near the island. Under the American federal law, the US is obligated to assist Taiwan with its self-defence, a point that has become increasingly contentious with China.

Source: Punch December 26, 2025 21:57 UTC