China to sanction Lockheed over Taiwan arms sale‘BARBARIC INTIMIDATION’: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned China’s move, saying that weapons and upgrades are needed to maintain peace in the Taiwan StraitAFP, BEIJINGChina yesterday said that it would impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin Corp, days after the US approved a potential US$620 million refurbishment package for missiles to Taiwan. The possible foreign military sale involves Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles. In Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it “strongly condemns” China’s gesture, describing it as “irrational clamor and barbaric intimidation.”Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Joanne Ou hosts a regular news conference in Taipei on July 7. Zhao said that China’s move to hit Lockheed with sanctions was “to safeguard its national interests.”Last year, China threatened sanctions on US firms linked to a sale of warplanes to Taiwan as well, calling the move a serious interference in its internal affairs. Taiwan is bolstering its defenses for what it sees as increasingly threatening moves by Beijing, such as its regular air force and naval exercises near the country.

Source: Taipei Times July 14, 2020 15:56 UTC