China sanctions 2 U.S. companies over ‘support for arms sales to Taiwan’

Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — China has sanctioned two U.S. companies over what it says is their support for arms sales to Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy Beijing claims as its own territory to be recovered by force if necessary. The announcement freezes the assets of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems held within China. It also bars their management from entering the country. Filings show General Dynamics operates a half-dozen Gulfstream and jet aviation services operations in China, which remains heavily reliant on foreign aerospace technology even as it attempts to build its own presence in the field. General Atomics produces the Predator and Reaper drones used by the U.S. military, while General Dynamics helps make the Abrams tank being purchased by Taiwan.