China Announces Sanctions on US        09/20 06:13

   

   BEIJING (AP) -- China on Wednesday announced sanctions on American companies 
selling arms to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its 
own territory and threatens to annex by force.

   Chinese state media made the announcement, citing the Foreign Ministry, but 
gave no details on the companies involved. Taiwan is awaiting deliveries of 
F-16 fighter jets, Abrams tanks and a range of missiles from the U.S.

   China has been upping its threats to attack Taiwan, whose 23 million 
citizens overwhelmingly favor their current status of de-facto independence. 
Despite their lack of formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. has long been a key 
provider of armaments and is legally bound to ensure the island can defend 
itself.

   Along with buying weapons from the U.S., Taiwan has also been reviving its 
domestic arms industry. A fleet of submarines is underway, while mandatory 
military service for men has been extended to one year.

   China has previously demanded U.S companies end cooperation with Taiwan's 
armed forces, with no apparent effect.