UPDATE - China to sanction US' Lockheed Martin over Taiwan

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT OF CHINA’S TAIWAN AFFAIRS OFFICE, REVISED HEADLINE, DECK

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – China on Tuesday said that it will impose sanctions on the US' defense company Lockheed Martin for arms sale to Taiwan.

The decision was announced by the Foreign Ministry, daily Global Times reported.

"China will impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin for involvement in the latest US arms sale to Taiwan," the ministry said.

Lockheed Martin is reportedly the major contractor for Washington's $620 million package to upgrade Taiwan's Patriot surface-to-air missiles system.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said in a statement that Beijing is "resolutely against US arms sales to the island of Taiwan."

"DPP's [Democratic Progressive Party] attempt to seek 'independence by force' will not succeed, and will only sabotage peace and stability and bring about bigger catastrophe to Taiwan people," the statement added.

The DPP is the ruling party in Taiwan, which Beijing considers as its breakaway province.