Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

In response to the latest US announcement of large-scale arms sales to China's Taiwan region, China has decided to take countermeasures in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law against 20 US defense-related companies and 10 senior executives who have engaged in arming Taiwan in recent years, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday. 

According to the announcement, pursuant to Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 15 of the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, the countermeasures target 20 US companies, including Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services, Boeing in St. Louis, Gibbs & Cox, Inc., Advanced Acoustic Concepts, VSE Corporation, Sierra Technical Services, Inc., Red Cat Holdings, Inc., Teal Drones, Inc., ReconCraft, High Point Aerotechnologies, Epirus, Inc., Dedrone Holdings Inc., Area-I, Blue Force Technologies, Dive Technologies, Vantor, Intelligent Epitaxy Technology, Inc., Rhombus Power Inc., and Lazarus Enterprises Inc.

All movable and immovable properties as well as other types of assets belonging to the listed companies within China will be frozen. In addition, organizations and individuals within China are prohibited from engaging in transactions, cooperation, or other activities with these entities, per the announcement on Friday.

The countermeasures also apply to 10 senior executives, including Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries; John Cantillon, vice president of L3Harris Technologies, Inc. and vice president and principal accounting officer of L3Harris Maritime Services; Michael J. Carnovale, president and chief executive officer of Advanced Acoustic Concepts; John A. Cuomo, president and chief executive officer of VSE Corporation; Mitch McDonald, president of Teal Drones, Inc.; Anshuman Roy, founder and chief executive officer of Rhombus Power Inc.; Dan Smoot, president and chief executive officer of Vantor; Aaditya Devarakonda, chief executive officer of Dedrone Holdings Inc.; Ann Wood, president of High Point Aerotechnologies; and Jay Hoflich, co-founder and chief executive officer of ReconCraft.

This decision shall come into force starting Friday, the announcement said.

The US move "seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, interferes in China's internal affairs, and undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," per to the announcement.

Elaborating on the countermeasures, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed once again that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. 

"Anyone who attempts to cross the line and make provocations on the Taiwan question will be met with China's firm response. Any company or individual who engages in arms sales to Taiwan will pay the price for the wrongdoing. No country or force shall ever underestimate the resolve, will and ability of the Chinese government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said the spokesperson.

China once again urges the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, act on the commitment of the US leader, stop the dangerous moves of arming Taiwan, stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China will continue to take resolute measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, the spokesperson noted.

The Trump administration announced on December 18 some $11.1 billion in arms sales to the Taiwan region, the largest ever US weapons package for the island and the second under US President Donald Trump's current administration, Reuters reported. The proposed arms sales cover eight items, including HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius loitering munition drones and parts for other equipment, the report said, citing Taiwan regional "defense authority."

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Friday that the US latest arms sales to Taiwan reveal clear intentions: to use the island to contain China and to continue playing geopolitical games. 

Li noted that China's countermeasures are resolute, timely, and fully justified. "They serve as a stark warning: the US cannot damage bilateral relations without paying a price. China's countermeasures will ensure the US bears the consequences of its actions." 

"Our response demonstrates firm resolve and is an essential step in responsibly managing China-US relations. By targeting individuals and entities that harm bilateral ties, we urge the US to respect China's core interests and pursue a positive and constructive direction in developing bilateral ties," the expert said. 

Chinese mainland military affairs expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times that judging from the arms sales list, it is quite clear that the weapons being sold to Taiwan does not involve latest systems and the real intent of US arms sales to Taiwan is to extract profits from the Taiwan authorities and local taxpayers while reaping substantial financial gains. 

"Such deals amount to money-wasting military purchases for Taiwan, which not only fails to enhance its defense capabilities but also imposes heavier financial burdens on the island," Song noted.