Beijing: US sanctions against Chinese companies are a form of economic coercion.
According to Sputnik, the Ministry of Commerce of China issued a statement on Monday announcing that US sanctions against Chinese companies are an example of economic coercion and undermine international law and order.
In another part of this statement, it is stated that the Chinese government takes necessary measures to protect the legal rights of its companies; Companies that Washington accuses of having ties to Russia and evading sanctions.
In the middle of January, the Chinese government announced that Beijing has sanctioned 5 American companies related to the Ministry of Defense in response to US sanctions against Chinese individuals and companies, as well as sending military weapons to Taiwan.
According to the sanctions, any assets of these companies in China will be blocked and Chinese companies and individuals will be prohibited from doing business with these companies, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“The actions of the United States harm China’s sovereignty and security interests, undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and violate the rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. In another part of this statement, it is stated: The Chinese government is unwavering in its determination to protect national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and to protect the legal rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens.
According to NBC News, last month the United States approved the sale of about $300 million worth of communications and other defense equipment to Taiwan. At the time, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin warned that China would retaliate against companies involved in arms sales to Taiwan.
America claims that it adheres to the principle of “One China” despite military cooperation and arms assistance to Taiwan. Based on this principle, Beijing considers the island of Taiwan as part of its territory and considers any action, including military cooperation of foreign countries with this island, as provocative and a violation of the principle of one China.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the Pentagon has announced that the equipment sales plan has been approved to support and strengthen Taiwan’s four command, control, communication, and computer capabilities known as “C4”.
The Ministry of Defense of Taiwan has also announced that the purchase of this equipment will improve the efficiency of the command and control systems of joint operations, and as a result, Taipei’s vigilance on the battlefield will be strengthened.
In a statement, while appreciating the US for approving the sale of this equipment to Taiwan, this ministry claimed: The permanent operations and exercises of the Chinese communists around Taiwan are a serious threat against us. We expect the purchase (equipment) to enter the implementation phase within a month.