Beijing sanctions chiefs of arms firms

China has imposed sanctions on top executives of two arms manufacturers in the United States for their participation in a $1.1 billion military sale to the Taiwan region, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.

The action was taken against Greg Hayes, chairman and chief executive officer of Raytheon Technologies and Ted Colbert, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

Friday's announcement marks the latest sanctions that China has imposed on US weapon companies for their role in US arms sales to the Taiwan region.

The action against the executives comes after Mao said earlier this month that China would take firm and forceful measures in response to the sale, which was announced on Sept 2.

By selling weapons to the Taiwan region, the US has seriously violated the one-China principle and the stipulations in the three China-US joint communiques, especially the one issued on Aug 17, 1982, the spokeswoman said on Friday.

Sovereignty undermined

The sale has also undermined China's sovereignty and security interests, China-US ties and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Mao added.

China will continue to take every measure necessary to protect its sovereignty and security interests according to the situation's development, said Mao, reinforcing China's firm opposition to, and strong condemnation of, the arms sale.

She urged the US government and related sectors to observe the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, stop selling weapons to the Taiwan region, cut military ties with the region and stop provoking tensions across the Taiwan Straits.

The sale, involving missiles and logistics support for a radar program, came amid rising tensions across the Straits after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August.