"China Imposes Sanctions on Five US Arms Firms for Taiwan Sales"

China has imposed sanctions on five U.S. defense companies in retaliation for recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and U.S. sanctions on Chinese entities. The sanctions aim to freeze the companies' assets in China and bar Chinese individuals and organizations from dealing with them, although the impact is expected to be largely symbolic since these companies do not typically do business with China. This move comes ahead of Taiwan's presidential election and amidst heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, with China viewing U.S. arms sales as interference in its internal affairs and a threat to its sovereignty. The U.S. maintains its commitment to Taiwan's defense capabilities, citing legal obligations to support the island's ability to defend itself.