China on Monday announced sanctions against three US defence companies for selling arms to Taiwan region.

The Commerce Ministry placed General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Boeing Defence, Space & Security on its "unreliable entities list".

The firms will be barred from engaging in China-related import or export activities, and are forbidden to make new investments in China. In addition, senior executives of the companies are prohibited from entering China, while their work permits will be revoked, along with their visitor and residential status, and the related applications they submit will not be approved.

The move is the latest in a series of sanctions Beijing has announced in recent years against defence companies for weapons sales to the island. (Xinhua & agencies)