China to sanction 5 US manufacturers over arms sales to Taiwan

China will impose sanctions on five US military manufacturers in response to recent arms sales to Taiwan, according to a statement by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson. The sales have caused tension between China and the US, as China considers Taiwan its territory. The sanctions were announced ahead of Taiwan’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, which China has framed as a choice between war and peace. The US State Department approved a $300 million sale of equipment to Taiwan last month. The companies to be sanctioned are BAE Systems Land and Armaments, Alliant Techsystems Operations, AeroVironment, Viasat, and Data Link Solutions.