BEIJING, Dec 5 (Reuters) - China has decided to impose

sanctions on 13 U.S. military firms from Thursday, in response

to the sale of U.S. arms to Taiwan, the foreign ministry said

after the United States arranged for Taiwan's president to

transit through its territory.

The step follows China's strong objection to the United

States authorising a potential $385-million sale of spare parts

and support for F-16 jets and radars to Taiwan, which Beijing

says undermines its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China, which considers Taiwan its own territory and its

President Lai Ching-te a dangerous separatist, opposes any

foreign interactions or visits by the island's leaders.

Companies targeted by the sanctions include Teledyne Brown

Engineering Inc, BRINC Drones Inc and Shield AI Inc, the foreign

ministry said in Thursday's statement.

Other companies facing sanctions are Rapid Flight LLC, Red

Six Solutions, SYNEXXUS Inc, Firestorm Labs Inc, Kratos Unmanned

Aerial Systems Inc, HavocAI, Neros Technologies, Cyberlux

Corporation, Domo Tactical Communications and Group W.

In addition, China will freeze the assets of six executives

from five companies including Raytheon, BAE Systems and United

Technologies, in China, and bar their entry to the country.

Chinese organisations and individuals are also prohibited

from dealing with them.