US-China Relations Updates

On September 15, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning hosted a regular press conference.

A reporter asked that recently the United States has provided advanced weapons to the Taiwan region of China in the form of arms sales, military aid, and loans. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson previously stated that China would take resolute and powerful measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Does the spokesperson have any further information?

Mao Ning stated that despite China’s strong opposition, the US government persists in providing weapons to the Taiwan region, which gravely violates the One-China principle, the provisions of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, international law, and the basic norms of international relations. It severely undermines China’s sovereignty and security interests, and the US is walking further down the wrong and dangerous path of arming Taiwan.

Mao Ning pointed out that Lockheed Martin’s subsidiary in St. Louis, Missouri, directly participated as the prime contractor in the August 24 US arms sale to Taiwan, and Northrop Grumman has been involved in multiple US arms sales to Taiwan. In accordance with the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Countering Foreign Sanctions,” China has decided to impose sanctions on the aforementioned two US defense companies.

Mao Ning emphasized that the Chinese government’s determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. We urge the US side to earnestly abide by the One-China principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, cease arms sales to Taiwan, stop military collusion with Taiwan, and halt the arming of Taiwan. Otherwise, it will undoubtedly face resolute and powerful countermeasures from the Chinese side.

Shanghai Sikorsky Aircraft Manufacturing Company is indeed a joint venture with Lockheed Martin and primarily produces civilian helicopters. They are also involved in satellite and radar production. The Chinese satellite Zhongwei-1, for example, is produced by Lockheed Martin. Additionally, they provide equipment for some nuclear power plants. The fact that Lockheed Martin’s stock price briefly dropped by 2 points after the news was announced indicates that there may be some implications.

Conversely, Lockheed Martin has recently received a large number of orders for F35s, and their fire control radar technology is provided by Northrop Grumman. There is significant demand in China for gallium and magnets, so these sanctions are not just a minor inconvenience.