• China has sanctioned 30 US defense companies and individuals in response to a large arms sales package to Taiwan.
• The sanctions freeze assets in China and bar business interactions for the targeted firms and individuals.
• The US arms deal to Taiwan, valued at $11.1 billion, is the largest in history for the island.
• China views Taiwan as part of its territory and does not recognize it as an independent state.
• Beijing stresses that any provocative actions regarding Taiwan will provoke a strong response.

In a significant escalation of tensions, China has imposed sanctions on 20 US defense firms and 10 individuals, a response to a newly announced arms sales package to Taiwan valued at **$11.1 billion**, the largest deal to date for the island. Targeted firms include major companies such as Boeing and Northrop Grumman, which are now barred from conducting business with China, according to South China Morning Post, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China announced that the sanctions would freeze any assets held by these firms in China and prohibit individuals from entering the country. This action reflects China's position that "the Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests," drawing a strong warning against what it views as US provocations in the region, reports Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

The arms package, which has not yet been finalized pending approval from the US Congress, includes critical military hardware such as **HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, and drones**. The US maintains that these sales are necessary to assist Taiwan in fortifying its defense capabilities against potential aggression from China, as stated by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

China's sanctions come amid heightened fears of escalation in the Taiwan Strait, with official statements warning that "any provocative actions that cross the line on the Taiwan issue will be met with a strong response" from Beijing. The ongoing military and diplomatic maneuvers reflect the fragile state of relations between the US and China, especially concerning Taiwan's status, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.