The Chinese government has placed sanctions on seven companies 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.

China announced on Friday countermeasures against seven United States military companies and relevant senior executives over arms assistance and weapons sales to the Taiwan region, and vowed to keep taking all necessary measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests.