China imposes sanctions on US companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon

A branch of Raytheon is one of the US companies hit with Chinese sanctions (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)

China imposed trade and investment sanctions on Lockheed Martin and a branch of Raytheon for supplying weapons to Taiwan, stepping up efforts to isolate the island democracy claimed by the ruling Communist Party as part of its territory.

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missiles and Defence are barred from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country, the ministry of commerce announced on Thursday.