Sanctions imposed by China on Lockheed Martin and Raytheon over Taiwan arms sales
Logo of Lockheed Martin
The Chinese ministry of commerce said on Thursday (February 16) that it has sanctioned Lockheed Martin and a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies over participation in arms sales to Taiwan.
In a statement, the Chinese commerce ministry said that Lockheed Martin Corp and Raytheon Missile and Defense Corp, which is a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies Corp, are not allowed to engage in "import and export activities related to China".
The announcement comes amid simmering tensions between the United States and China over Taiwan, which escalated after a recent balloon saga when the US military shot down what it says was a Chinese spy balloon.
ALSO READ |Explained: India-Pakistan tensions over Indus Waters Treaty | A ready reckoned
However, China had claimed that it was civilian airspace used for research and was believed to have drifted due to wind. Beijing had even warned of "countermeasures against relevant US entities that undermine China's sovereignty and security".
After China's move, Lockheed said in a statement, "Foreign Military Sales are government-to-government transactions and we work closely with the U.S. government on any military sales to international customers."
)
'Today, it’s Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, it’s New York': Netanyahu says US must back Israel or face Iran’s wrath next
)
Israel-Iran war: How did Iran breach Israel’s Iron Dome? Tel Aviv’s air defence shield has cracks and Tehran is exploiting them
)
Carney says Canada will ‘adjust’ counter tariffs on US metals if no deal in 30 days
)
IDF says missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, residents asked to take shelter
)
'Doomsday plane' E-4B, a nuclear holocaust bunker, seen in Washington as Iran-Israel war intensifies
)
Israel-Iran war: Explosion reported at Norwegian envoy’s residence in Israel’s Herzliya
)
'Tankers moving closer, warships deployed': Is US military ready to enter Israel-Iran war? Here's what the weapon movement suggest
)
‘Changing regime’ of Iran not the goal, ‘could be a result’: Netanyahu on Israel-Iran conflict
)
Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt hold hands, steal the spotlight at Sitaare Zameen Par screening
)
Israel-Iran war: Iranian missiles overwhelm Israeli defences
)
Israel-Iran war: How Israel built nuclear weapons and kept them a secret for decades? The elaborate deception that fooled the US and world
)
Pentagon's Pizza Index: Can't confirm, can't deny; but here's what it reveals amid Israel-Iran tensions
)
Israel-Iran war: How much time does it take for Iran's ballistic missiles to reach Israel? Less than what you think
)
Apple, Google, Facebook login among massive 16 billion data leak
)
Woman flies from UP to Bengaluru for 'final round of interview', company ghosts her
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
10 powerful movies to watch this Juneteenth
)
Iran imposes internet blackout across nation amid cyberattacks, security fears
)
Drunk passenger pulls woman's hair, is zip tied after maniacal episode on flight in New York
)
Iran could make nuclear bomb in ‘a couple of weeks’, says White House
WATCH |Amazon Charges 50% commission from sellers?
ALSO READ | In a first since war began, Israeli FM Eli Cohen visits Kyiv, meets Kuleba amid military aid pressure
It added, Lockheed Martin closely adheres to United States government policy with regard to conducting business with foreign governments." Lockheed exports to more than 70 countries.
On the other hand, Raytheon declined to comment. News agencies have mentioned that Raytheon Technologies sells its Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, as well as landing gear and controls, to China's commercial aviation industry.
Notably, Neither company sells defence products to China.
Besides sanctions, both companies have been banned from further investingin China and also the senior management has been barred from entering the country. Beijing cancelled residence permits for any staff in China and imposed fines that are double the contracted amounts of their arms sales to Taiwan.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.