Development | China-US maritime dispute escalates as Beijing sanctions South Korean giant’s subsidiaries

Beijing announced sanctions against a US ally for its alleged role in coercing China’s maritime and shipbuilding industries – marking an escalation of tensions in the strategic sector.

The move comes as Washington on Tuesday imposed port fees targeting ships built or operated by China, and follows a commitment made in a previous regulatory update.

China has placed five U.S. subsidiaries of South Korean shipping giant Hanwha Ocean on a countermeasures list, accusing them of cooperating with Washington in its restrictions on China’s maritime sector, according to a Commerce Ministry statement released Tuesday.

“Hanwha’s US-based subsidiaries have aided and supported the US government in conducting the 301 investigation and imposing measures against China’s shipping, logistics and shipbuilding industries. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition,” a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

Beijing took the measures in accordance with the country’s anti-foreign sanctions law and related regulations, the spokesperson said.