China has announced sanctions against five U.S. military manufacturers in retaliation to the recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, according to a spokesperson from the Chinese foreign ministry. The sale of arms to Taiwan has long been a contentious issue between the United States and China, as the latter sees Taiwan as its territory, while Taiwan’s government rejects this claim.

These sanctions coincide with Taiwan’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13th, which China has portrayed as a choice between war and peace.

Last month, the U.S. State Department approved a $300 million sale of equipment to support Taiwan’s tactical information systems, further heightening tensions.

The spokesperson stated that these arms sales “seriously undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests, seriously jeopardize peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

The following companies are among those that will be sanctioned:

• BAE Systems Land and Armaments
• Alliant Techsystems Operations
• AeroVironment
• Viasat
• Data Link Solutions

China will freeze the assets of these companies and ban any individuals or organizations in China from engaging with them, as stated by the spokesperson.

The U.S. embassy in Beijing has not yet responded to a request for comment.