China-Pakistan Missile Collaboration Hit by US Sanctions

By DTD- Last updated Sep 13, 2024

The US State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies it said have been involved in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme.

The US State Department imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies for their involvement in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. The sanctions target the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry, which worked with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems.

Additionally, the sanctions target China-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co, as well as Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national, for transferring equipment under missile technology restrictions.

This is the second time the US has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies for supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. Last year, the US sanctioned three China-based companies: General Technology Limited, Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development Co Ltd, and Changzhou Utek Composite Company Ltd.

China’s embassy in Washington condemned the sanctions, stating that China “firmly opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council.” Pakistan’s embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said, “As today’s actions demonstrate, the United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur.”

A State Department statement identified the firms as General Technology Limited, Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development Co Ltd, and Changzhou Utek Composite Company Ltd.

It said General Technology had worked to supply brazing materials used to join components in ballistic missile rocket engines and in the production of combustion chambers; Beijing Luo Luo had worked to supply mandrels and other machinery, which can be used in the production of solid-propellant rocket motors, the US said.

The third firm, Changzhou Utek Composite, had worked since 2019 to supply D-glass fiber, quartz fabric, and high silica cloth, all of which have applications in missile systems, the statement had said.

“Today’s actions demonstrate that the United States will continue to act against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery, and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur,” the statement said back then.

By REUTERS