China announced actions against nine U.S. military-linked firms on Wednesday in response to U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan. The steps included freezing assets in China belonging to the firms, among other measures, which the country had recently taken in an attempt to press the United States into foregoing the sale of arms to the Island. China has insisted on the White House to avoid having formal relations with Taiwan's government, even though it is a major international supporter and arms supplier to the democratically governed island. Taiwan is a part of its territory, Beijing claims.

The foreign ministry announced sanctions on Sierra Nevada Corporation and Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, which went into effect on Wednesday and will freeze their property inside China. The ministry referred to the measures as countermeasures and stated that they also applied to S3 Aerospace, Cubic Corporation, TCOM Ltd Partnership, TextOre, Planate Management Group, ACT1 Federal, and Exovera.

The statement said that organisations and individuals in China are not allowed to do business with the firms. China's foreign ministry issued a statement on Wednesday pleading with the US "to immediately stop the dangerous trend of arming Taiwan.". At a routine press briefing, ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, "Stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and stop conniving and supporting Taiwan independence."

China has previously prohibited and penalised businesses, including Lockheed Martin subsidiaries, for selling weapons to Taiwan. It also declared its adamant opposition to the United States' arms sales to Taiwan and urged Washington to stop them right away.

Regarding the issue, the defense ministry had previously complained to the US government. Over the past five years, China has increased political and military pressure to bolster its claims, which Taipei vehemently denies.

Image source: Al Jazeera