China Sanctions 12 U.S. Defense Companies

China has taken measures against 12 companies involved in the US military-industrial complex and their senior executives, in response to the US arming of Taiwan and sanctions on Chinese companies, Liz Lee reported for Reuters.

The US companies included units of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and General Dynamics.

The US companies included units of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and General Dynamics, China's Foreign Ministry said.

The measures, which include freezing assets in China and banning senior executives from entering the country, took effect from Wednesday, it added. China also sanctioned former GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher, a supporter of Taiwan and fierce critic of China, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The action follows US "indiscriminately imposing unlawful unilateral sanctions on a number of Chinese entities on the basis of so-called Russia-related factors," the ministry said.

China added that the US had "ignored its objective and impartial position in the Ukrainian crisis" and had instead "engaged in unilateral bullying and economic coercion."

The ministry argued that the US has also continued to sell arms to Taiwan, which "seriously violates" the one-China principle and joint communiqués between both countries and "seriously undermines" China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.