China Sanctions 28 US Defense Firms Over Taiwan

China has imposed sanctions on 28 major US defense and aerospace firms, including Raytheon, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and General Dynamics, citing the need to safeguard national security and interests. These sanctions involve banning exports of dual-use items, which can be used for both civilian and military purposes, to these companies. Additionally, ten of these firms have been placed on China's 'Unreliable Entities List' due to their involvement in arms sales to Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. The sanctions are part of a broader counter-offensive by China against the US, as tensions rise over military sales and Taiwan's status. This move follows an increase in US sanctions on Chinese firms and is seen as a response to the US Senate's approval of a substantial defense bill supporting Taiwan. Analysts suggest these actions are largely symbolic as many targeted companies have minimal operations in China.