China said it would impose sanctions on US weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin in retaliation for Washington’s decision to approve a deal to sell missile parts to Taiwan, the country’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
The US state department approved a sale of more than $600m last week in missile parts to Taiwan for refurbishing Patriot missiles, although that deal has not been completed yet. The missiles are intended to defend Taiwan’s military installations against air attacks.
“China firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan,” said Zhao Lijian, foreign ministry spokesman, reiterating a long-held complaint when the decision was announced.