China Sanctions European Arms Firms Over Taiwan
China has imposed sanctions on seven European companies involved in arms sales to Taiwan, barring them from exporting dual-use goods and placing them on its export control list in a rare case of Taiwan-related measures targeting European firms.
Four of the seven companies are Czech. China’s Ministry of Commerce announced the move on Friday, saying the restrictions were imposed over arms sales to the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own territory.
Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo on Monday downplayed the impact of the sanctions, saying they would not affect Taipei’s ability to source weapons and noting that it was not the first time China had taken such action.
“However, I think such an action, as I understand it, does not affect our ability to continue sourcing goods through relevant diversified channels”, he said in parliament, without elaborating.
Taiwan receives most of its weapons from the United States. European countries have not sold Taiwan major weapons systems such as fighter jets for around three decades, wary of provoking Beijing.
While many countries, particularly in Europe, remain cautious about defense cooperation with Taiwan because of fears of Chinese retaliation, Taipei has found growing support in parts of Central and Eastern Europe, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
China has repeatedly sanctioned major US arms manufacturers over sales to Taiwan, most recently in December following Washington’s announcement of an $11bn weapons package for the island.
Asked whether Taiwan could begin purchasing weapons from Japan after Tokyo last week lifted restrictions on overseas arms sales, Koo said such exports require a defense equipment and technology transfer agreement, which Taiwan does not currently have with Japan.
Koo said he did not exclude such an agreement: “In the future, no possibility can be ruled out. I think I can only say that at present, no transfer agreement exists.”
While countries such as the Philippines welcomed the Japanese decision, China expressed deep concern.
Relations between Japan and China have remained strained since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response if Japan’s survival were at stake.