Chinese state broadcaster China Global Television Network (CGTN) that the central government of the People’s Republic of China announced it will impose sanctions on U.S. aerospace and defense contractor Lockheed Martin for involvement in the latest U.S. arms sale to the Taiwan region. China resolutely opposes U.S. arms sales to the Taiwan region and urges the U.S. to abide by one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference, noted that in order to safeguard national interests, China decided to take necessary measures to impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin, the main contractor involved in the U.S. arms sale to the Taiwan region. The U.S. should stop military contact with the Taiwan region including arms sales, so as not to further damage Sino-U.S. relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The remarks came as the U.S. State Department said on Friday that the U.S. has approved a 620 million U.S. dollars Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles upgrade package for Taiwan. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region. This proposed sale will help sustain the recipient’s missile density and ensure readiness for air operations.
Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles hade been stationed on Taiwan’s east coast in a response to China’s changing military strategy. It was the first time Taiwan’s military acknowledged that it had stationed the missiles in the sparsely populated counties of Hualien and Taitung. Until now, Patriot PAC-3 batteries had been believed to be located close to the populous cities of Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung. The upgraded projectiles can intercept incoming aircraft and missiles.
