The Chinese government placed sanctions on seven companies on Friday in response to recent U.S. announcements of military sales and aid to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory.

China has sanctioned seven military industrial companies and related senior executives over U.S. arms assistance and sales to Taiwan, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday. Boeing subsidiary Insitu Inc.

China imposed sanctions on seven US companies following recent US military sales and aid to Taiwan. The move comes as the US defense bill increases military spending and adopts a more confrontational stance towards China.

On Dec. 5, China imposed sanctions on at least 13 American defense firms and six executives over arms sales to Taiwan. Last week, the White House announced military assistance worth $571.3 million and approved $295 million in arms sales to Taiwan. Earlier this month, the US also approved $385 million in arms sales to Taiwan.

BEIJING – China on Friday slapped sanctions on seven US companies after Washington’s approval last week of a $571.3 million military aid package to

China on Friday slapped sanctions on seven US companies after Washington's approval last week of a $571.3 million military aid package to Taiwan, which Beijing said infringed on its "sovereignty and territory".

China has imposed sanctions on seven United States military companies and their executives. The move was made because of military aid and arms sales to Taiwan, according to the Global Times. The agency reminds that the United States recently announced significant military assistance to Taiwan,