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China's Missile Exports and Assistance
to Syria - Statements and Developments
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This chronology includes statements and developments related to China's missile-related exports and assistance to Syria, including allegations of assistance, and US, Chinese, and Syrian positions on the issue.
For additional in-depth information on open-source reports of Chinese exports and assistance, please consult the CNS Missile Abstracts database.
6/6/00: In response to a report that China has been transferring missile materials and technology to Syria, State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said, "We've repeatedly made these concerns known to the Chinese government and we're going to continue to do so. We also take seriously reports that Syria may be seeking from China materials for its missile program." ["Israeli Sources Say Pentagon Released China-Related Info 'To Embarrass Baraq,' FBIS GMP20000606000134, 06 June 2000.]
6/4/00: China was found to be assisting Syria in an advanced surface-to-surface ballistic missile development project. Guidance systems, missile engines, and solid fuels are among some of the technologies transferred by China that help Syria construct factories for missile manufacturing. [Ze'ev Schiff, "China Aids Iran, Syrian 'Advanced' Ballistic Missile Projects, Israeli Sources," FBIS GMP20000604000081, 04 June 2000.]
2/2/00: The CIA issued a report entitled "Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions, 1 January Through 30 June 1999," which stated, "Foreign equipment and assistance to its liquid-propellant missile program, primarily from Russian entities, but also from firms in China and North Korea, also have been and will continue to be essential for Syria's [ballistic missile] effort."
10/16/97: Reuters reported that China cancelled the sale of M-9 ballistic missiles to Syria. ["U.S. Says China Cancelled Syria Missile Deal," Reuter, 16 October 1997.]
7/25/96: A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman denied a report saying that the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC) had exported missile-related technology to Syria, stating: "The report on China's sale of M-11 missiles and its components to Syria is entirely unfounded [groundless] and also irresponsible." [AFP (Hong Kong), 25 July 1996; in FBIS-CHI-96-144, 25 July 1996.]
7/23/96: The Washington Times reported that the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC) shipped missile-related technology in June 1996 to Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center. The Center oversees Syria's ballistic missile, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and advanced conventional weapons research and development, according to US intelligence sources. The Center has received CPMIEC assistance at other times during recent years as well in building Scud-C ballistic missiles and the upgrading of anti-ship cruise missiles. According to Kenneth Timmerman, director of Middle East Data Project, China and North Korea have assisted Syria in constructing two missile production centers, and China has also trained Syrian missile technicians in China. According to Israeli 1993 statements, Chinese technicians worked in Syria to develop missile guidance production facilities. [Bill Gertz, "CIA Suspects Chinese Firm Of Syria Missile Aid," Washington Times, 23 July 1996.]
6/96: The China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC) shipped military cargo to Syria which may have included missile guidance components for the M-11 missile, according to the CIA. The shipment went to Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center, which works on Syria's ballistic missiles (including the Scud C), anti-ship cruise missile upgrading, weapons of mass destruction, and advanced conventional weapons programs. CPMIEC has helped the center with both ballistic missile and cruise missile programs in recent years. According to Kenneth Timmerman, director of Middle East Data Project, China and North Korea have assisted Syria in constructing two missile production centers, and China has also trained Syrian missile technicians in China. According to Israeli 1993 statements, Chinese technicians worked in Syria to develop missile guidance production facilities. [Bill Gertz, "CIA Suspects Chinese Firm Of Syria Missile Aid," Washington Times, 23 July 1996; Sid Balman Jr., UPI, 23 July 1996; in Executive News Service, 24 July 1996.]
4/93: China is assisting Syria's upgrading of its inventory of Scud-B missiles. Additionally, North Korea and Iran are participating (with Chinese technology and assistance) in the construction of underground factories near Aleppo and Hama in Syria for the joint production of North Korean Scud-C missiles and Chinese M-9 missiles. Syria has acquired large quantities of German precision machine tools for this production effort. Production of Scud-C missiles is expected to begin in 12-18 months, while M-9 production commencement is still 2-3 years away. [Michael Eisenstadt, "Syria's Strategic Weapons," Jane's Intelligence Review, April 1993, pp. 168-173.]
4/93: China has reportedly provided Syria with production technology and materials for the indigenous assembly and manufacture of ballistic missiles. ["Testimony Of Timothy V. McCarthy, Senior Research Associate, Program For Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute Of International Studies," House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee On International Security, International Organizations, And Human Rights, 28 April 1993, p. 168; Robert Shuey and Shirley A. Kan, "Chinese Missile And Nuclear Proliferation: Issues For Congress," CRS Issue Brief, 29 September 1995, p. 7.]
10/92: A "senior Pentagon Asian specialist" said there are "indications" that China is violating the MTCR by discussing possible M-9 and M-11 missile exports with Pakistan and Syria, and the Pentagon is "also concerned" that China may be discussing further "nuclear missile" exports with Iran. Of the possible Syrian and Pakistani exports, the official says, "We are watching very closely." [Jane's Defence Weekly, 10 October 1992, p. 18.]
8/17/92: Daniel Lehem of Tel Aviv's Strategic Studies Center said the Syrian missile program is benefiting from cooperation between China and North Korea, and that Damascus may acquire Chinese-made M-9 missiles through Pyongyang. [Yedi'Ot Aharonot (Tel Aviv), 17 August 1992; in Proliferation Issues, 17 August 1992.]
6/92: Despite that China announced its adherence to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), it has been actively selling weapons in the Middle East. Since announcing its intention to abide by the MTCR, China has shipped ammonium perchlorate (used in solid fuel rockets) to Syria. ["Sneaking In The Scuds," Newsweek, 22 June 1992, pp. 42-46.]
6/92: German intelligence reports indicate that China is currently supplying M-9 missiles to Syria. [Proliferation Issues, 10 July 1992, p. 5; in Michael J. Inacker, Welt Am Sonntag (Hamburg), 5 July 1992, p. 5.]
3-4/92: China had plans to ship 60 tons of chemicals for solid-fuel propellant to Syria during this time. [Gordon Jacobs and Tim McCarthy, "China's Missile Sales--Few Changes For The Future," Jane's Intelligence Review, December 1992, p. 562.]
3/92: China will complete deliveries on weapons contracts it signed before November 1991 when it agreed to observe Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines. Chong-Pin Lin of the American Enterprise Institute in Washington cited two reasons: weapons sales are a source of hard currency for China, and the Chinese control structure makes it "very difficult for the highest levels of government to control the corporations." Other experts add that China may be reluctant to risk loss of prestige by acceding to international pressure.
The China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC), one of two Chinese corporations which were under US sanctions for selling missiles, contracted in 1988 to develop the M-9 ballistic missile using Syrian funds. The missile was recently tested at a government range in Gansu province, and is suitable for nuclear, chemical, or biological warheads, as well as fuel air explosive munitions. Delivery of the M-9 is thought to be imminent given the recent sightings of 24 launchers in Syria. ["West Worries China Will Sell Missiles," Defense News, 16 March 1992, pp. 1, 45.]
3/9/92: A US State Department spokesman stated that the United States planned to lift the missile sanctions on China. He said that "as a result, we expect China to announce its adherence to the guidelines and parameters of the MTCR...This in no way means we will slacken our efforts to monitor either missile transfers worldwide, or Chinese missile and missile technology export practices." ["The Credibility Of China's Nonproliferation Pledges And United States Sanctions: 1984-1996," compiled by the minority staff, Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, Summer 1996.]
1/31/92: US intelligence reports indicated that Beijing recently delivered to Syria approximately 30 tons of chemicals used to manufacture a solid-fuel missile, and it plans to send an additional 60 tons in March 1992 or April 1992. The sales are critical because the United States is planning to lift sanctions on the sale of US high-speed computers that were established in the spring of 1992, when the United States discovered that China delivered M-11 launchers to Pakistan. During Secretary of State James Baker's visit to the PRC in November 1991, Chinese officials promised to abide by the MTCR if sanctions were lifted. ["China Said To Sell Parts For Missiles," New York Times, 31 January 1992, pp. A1, A2.]
12/91: China reportedly shipped up to 30 tons of chemicals for solid-fuel propellant to Syria. [Gordon Jacobs and Tim McCarthy, "China's Missile Sales--Few Changes For The Future," Jane's Intelligence Review, December 1992, p. 562.]
11/17/91: US Secretary of State James Baker's 15-17 November 1991 trip to Beijing resulted in limited eleventh-hour Chinese concessions on missile sales. Baker met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, President Yang Shangkun, Prime Minister Li Peng and party chief Jiang Zemin and obtained a verbal commitment from the Chinese not to export M-9s to Syria, and M-11s to Pakistan and other countries. The Chinese also told him they intend to "observe the guidelines and parameters" of the MTCR. China had previously argued that the range of the M-11 is too short to qualify for MTCR control. China has already delivered launchers and M-11s with dummy warheads to Pakistan, and is suspected of having contracted to deliver M-9s to Syria.
The Chinese concessions came on the condition that the United States end trade sanctions against two Chinese firms implicated in missile deals with Syria and Pakistan. The sanctions, imposed on 16 June 1991, barred China from launching American satellites, or receiving licensing of high-speed computer technology. ["Baker's China Trip Fails To Produce Pledge On Rights," New York Times, 18 November 1991, p. A1, A5.]
10/28/91: By this date, China had delivered transporter-erector-launchers (TELs) for M-9 missiles to Syria. The missiles were expected to follow only after the United States had made a decision on whether or not to extend China's most favored nation status. ["China's Weapons Mafia," Washington Post, 28 October 1991, pp. 2-3.]
8/22/91: Up to 24 M-9 missile launchers were been reported in Syria. ["For China, A Summer Of Diplomatic Triumphs," New York Times, 22 August 1991, p. A19.]
7/6/91: Chinese Premier Li Peng stated that "I can definitely say that China had not sold any [ballistic] missiles to Syria." [Hua Di, "China's Case: Ballistic Missile Proliferation," in William C. Potter and Harlan W. Jencks, eds., The International Missile Bazaar: The New Suppliers' Network (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1994, p. 168.]
Late 6/91: A Chinese-registered merchant ship reportedly left China for Syria with M-9 launchers and technology. [Gordon Jacobs and Tim McCarthy, "China's Missile Sales--Few Changes For The Future," Jane's Intelligence Review, December 1992, p. 562.]
6/19/91: China had given no indication that it plans to heed US warnings against its ongoing sales of short-range ballistic missiles. Chinese officials, however, indicated that the Beijing is considering signing the MTCR. Following talks with the Chinese leadership which ended on 18 June 1991, US Undersecretary of State Reginald Bartholomew claimed that China may be on the verge of selling M-9 missiles to Syria and M-11 missiles to Pakistan. Bartholomew warned that the United States would take retaliatory measures if the sales went through. US Secretary of State James Baker stated that "any Chinese transfers of these systems would have the most profound consequences for our bilateral relations. These potential sales are expected to intensify the debate in Congress regarding China's most-favored nation (MFN) trade status. ["China 'Considering' Signing Pact," Washington Post, 19 June 1991, p. A22.]
6/91: The US Congress approved of the Bush Administration's restriction of high-tech computer sales to China and the ban on participation by US companies in additional Chinese satellite projects due to Chinese widespread exports of nuclear and missile technologies. The US action was triggered by China's delivery of M-11 components to Pakistan for local assembly. Likewise, Syria is expected to be the recipient of M-9s later in June 1991. In response to the US policy decisions, the Chinese Foreign Ministry repeated that "China has always adopted a serious, responsible and prudent position on international arms trade." ["China," Milavnews, June 1991, p. 7.]
5/91: At a secret meeting in Beijing, China agreed to deliver M-9 missiles and launchers to Syria. ["China's Weapons Mafia," Washington Post, 28 October 1991, pp. 2-3; Gordon Jacobs and Tim McCarthy, "China's Missile Sales--Few Changes For The Future," Jane's Intelligence Review, December 1992, p. 562.]
4/8/91: China is marketing its M-9 missiles to the Middle East despite international efforts to stop missile exports. US analysts believe that Syria and China have already completed an M-9 sales agreement, though no missiles have been delivered thus far. Saudi Arabia, which purchased DF-3A intermediate range missiles from China in 1988, has also expressed interest in purchasing M-9s. In March 1991, Pentagon officials stated that "China has already sold M-series technology to other countries." Analysts say these "countries" are Pakistan and Iran. According to visiting Chinese scholar Hua Di, the M-9 was developed "totally for export."
Senior US officials visited Beijing in 1988 to stop the proposed sale of M-9 missiles to Syria and other missile exports. In March 1991, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Richard Solomon requested that China participate in creating international controls for exporting missile technology to the Middle East. Solomon stated that for China, "sales abroad help to subsidize the domestic arms industry...but were in a phase where we can't allow that dynamic to drive international arms sales." China has complained that "it is being singled out while other countries continue to sell weapons to the third world." Defending Chinese policy, a senior fellow at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Wu Zhan, stated that "arms exports were necessary to raise hard currency to finance China's conversion from military to civilian production." ["China Markets Missile To Middle East Buyers," Defense News, 8 April 1991, pp. 1, 29.]
Late 1990: The CIA reported that a $285 million agreement for the sale of 30 M-9 launchers and an unspecified number of missiles to Syria was still operational. [Gordon Jacobs and Tim McCarthy, "China's Missile Sales--Few Changes For The Future," Jane's Intelligence Review, December 1992, p. 562.]
5/18/89: According to Middle East press reports, China and Syria signed an agreement for the export of M-9 missiles. According to Mila News, the CIA had information that Syria was paying for about $285 million for the initial 30 mobile launchers and an unspecified number of missiles. [Statement by Tom Lantos, Chairman, Subcommittee on International Security, International Organizations and Human Rights, 20 May 1993.]
7/88: China agreed to sell Syria the 600 km range M-9 missile. ["Incidental Intelligence: China Emerging As Third World Weapons Supplier," Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter, September 1991, p. 19.]
1988: Negotiations began between China and Syria for the purchase of M-9 missiles and for the Chinese construction of underground production facilities at Hama and Aleppo. [Statement by Tom Lantos, Chairman, Subcommittee on International Security, International Organizations and Human Rights, 20 May 1993.]
[CHINA'S MISSILE EXPORTS AND ASSISTANCE TO SYRIA]
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin
Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of
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