On Monday, China said that it would impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin, a Boeing defence division and other US firms involved in arms sales to Taiwan, the self-governed island that Beijing views as its territory.
Beijing says Taiwan is an inviolable part of China to be reclaimed, by force if necessary.
Zhao said the sanctions were to safeguard national interests and would apply to those who have behaved badly in the process of arms sales to Taiwan.
“We will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and security interests,” said Zhao, without giving further details on the sanctions.
The State Department said last week it had approved the sale of 135 air-to-ground missiles, in a move welcomed by Taiwan.
Also approved was the sale of six MS-110 air reconnaissance pods and 11 M142 mobile light rocket launchers, taking the value of the three arms packages to $1.8 billion.
A statement from the US State Department last week said the SLAM-ER missiles would help Taiwan meet current and future threats.
The missiles provide all-weather, day and night, precision attack capabilities against both moving and stationary targets on the ground or ocean, the statement added.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said the weapons would help it build credible combat capabilities and strengthen the development of asymmetric warfare.
