China has imposed sanctions on 20 US defense companies and 10 executives following US arms sales to Taiwan. The sanctions include asset freezes and bans on business dealings. The Chinese foreign ministry emphasized the importance of the Taiwan issue in US-China relations and warned of consequences for those involved in arms sales to Taiwan. The US arms sale package, valued at over $10 billion, has provoked a strong reaction from China, which claims Taiwan as its own. Tensions between the US and China have escalated over various issues, including military presence near Taiwan.