The Communist China Sanctions CEOs of Boeing Defense and Raytheon

According to media reports on September 16th, at a press conference on the same day, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said that Communist China would sanction the chief executives of Boeing Defense and Raytheon, citing their involvement in Washington’s latest arms sales to Taiwan. However, the specifics of the sanctions were not disclosed.

In response to the US State Department’s approval of arms sale on September 2nd, the Beijing authorities announced the sanction against Ted Colbert, chief executive of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, and Gregory Hayes, boss of Raytheon Technologies Corp, as the two companies are as prime contractors for the sale of $1.09 billion worth of military equipment to Taiwan. This batch of sales reportedly includes 60 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and 100 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

Previously, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had sanctioned Raytheon, Boeing Defense, and unspecified individuals involved in arms sales to Taiwan. For example, despite the CCP’s approval for Boeing’s 737 MAX’s return to service in December 2021, Chinese airlines haven’t resumed MAX flights or accepted MAX deliveries.

Observers note that sanctions against these executives or companies are still unsure of their impact. However, such acts appear more symbolic than practical. By enacting the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, the U.S. will significantly increase its military support for Taiwan.