On January 14, 2019, Hua Chunying (above) (and see official CV) China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued an Answer ("A:") Warning (?) in response to a Question ("Q:") to countries (companies and and contractors(?) assisting Taiwan's future submarine program.
Q: It is reported that the US has agreed to allow some military enterprises to export their technology to support Taiwan's Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program. Many US, European, Japanese and Indian companies have expressed their willingness to participate in the program. What is your comment?
A: China firmly opposes arms sales to Taiwan by any country and military links in any form between any country and Taiwan. This position is consistent and clear. We urge the US and other relevant countries to keep in mind the sensitivity and graveness of this issue, earnestly abide by the one-China principle, not to permit relevant enterprises from participating in Taiwan's Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) program in any form...
BACKGROUND
“Six companies two from Europe, two from the US, one each from India and Japan have submitted design proposals for the submarines...The designs would come up for approval by Taiwanese government in March [2019].”
COMMENT
Noting Taiwan's Submarine Project: Confirmed and Unconfirmed Details of October 2, 2018. China might sanction countries, companies and contractors involved in assiting Taiwan's future submarine program.
But, like China's response ("More than a dozen Canadians have been detained") to Canada's arrest of a senior Chinese Huawei executive Ms Meng Wanzhou China may use a two track response of merely criticizing the US while arresting nationals from other countries helping Taiwan develop a submarine. Particularly current or ex KHI or MHI submarine branch employees/executives/contractors may need to watch out.
Pete