China launches steps against US defense firms, individuals arming Taiwan region

China announced on Friday to take countermeasures against 20 United States defense-related companies and 10 senior executives who have engaged in arming China's Taiwan region in recent years.

The move is in response to the latest US announcement of large-scale arms sales to the region, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The countermeasures are in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, a spokesperson said in the statement.

Anyone who attempts to cross the line and make provocations on the Taiwan question will be met with China's firm response, the spokesperson stressed.

Any company or individual who engages in arms sales to Taiwan will pay the price for the wrongdoing, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson urged the US to stop the dangerous moves of arming Taiwan, stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

China will continue to take resolute measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, the spokesperson added.