TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China on Friday imposed sanctions on 20 US defense companies and 10 executives over Washington’s latest arms sales to Taiwan, Reuters reported.

China’s foreign ministry said the measures freeze any assets the companies and individuals hold in China and bar Chinese organizations and individuals from doing business with them. The sanctioned executives are also banned from entering the country.

The firms targeted include Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services, and Boeing’s St. Louis defense unit. Individuals sanctioned include the founder of defense firm Anduril Industries and nine senior executives from the listed companies.

The move followed Washington’s announcement last week of an arms package worth NT$348.5 billion (US$11.1 billion) for Taiwan, the largest ever US weapons sale to Taipei. Beijing condemned the deal as a provocation and warned of a “strong response.”

“The Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China–US relations,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said.

A US State Department spokesperson said Washington strongly objected to the sanctions, calling them retaliation against companies supporting Taiwan’s self-defense. The spokesperson said US policy has remained consistent across administrations and contributes to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The sanctions appear largely symbolic, given China’s limited dealings with US defense firms.