China:  United States Sanctions Chinese Corporation

By Mike Nartker
Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON — The United States has sanctioned a Chinese company for allegedly engaging in missile technology proliferation activities that could help contribute to a program to develop a WMD-capable ballistic missile, a U.S. State Department official told Global Security Newswire today (see GSN, July 28).

Under U.S. presidential executive order, Washington has decided to sanction China Precision Machinery Import/Export Corp., according to a notice published today in the Federal Register.  Earlier this month, the company — which a State official described as a “notorious missile proliferator” — was sanctioned under the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 for transfers that could have contributed to Iran’s WMD or ballistic missile programs. 

The sanctions, which have been imposed on an indefinite basis and are effective beginning today, prohibit Washington from entering into contracts with, or provide assistance to, the company, as well as prevent it from exporting goods to the United States.  In addition, all defense-related U.S. exports to the company and all transfers of U.S.-origin defense articles from foreign countries to the company are prohibited.  Similar sanctions were imposed on several Russian entities in the late 1990s, the State official said.

Last week, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance Paula DeSutter cited Chinese ballistic missile-related exports as the “most significant proliferation concern” the United States has with China.  Appearing before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, DeSutter said China needed to do more to crack down on so-called “serial proliferators.”

DeSutter also said that China needed to take the issue of missile proliferation itself more seriously.

“The Chinese government appears to view missile nonproliferation, at least in part, not as a goal in and of itself, but as an issue that needs merely to be managed as part of its overall bilateral relationship with the United States,” DeSutter said.

Back to top

About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines

HOME  |  CONTACT US  |  GET INVOLVED  |  SITE MAP