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Updated March 2006
Chemical Chronology
1996-1999
April 1996
In its 1996 report, Proliferation: Threat and Response, the U.S. Department of Defense states that China supplied chemical warfare-related materials to Iran. The dates for the transfers are not specified.
— Office of the Secretary of Defense, Proliferation: Threat and Response, April 1996, www.defenselink.mil/pubs/prolif/ne_asia.html.
3 June 1996
A Japanese research team in the northeastern province of Jilin in China estimates the number of chemical weapons shells left behind by Japan during WWII at 700,000, a number far smaller than China's initial estimate of 1.8 million weapons shells. Some shells are still leaking.
— "700,000 Wartime Chemical Weapons Estimated in China Cache," Japan Economic Newswire, 2 June 1996, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
26 July 1996
Huang Yu, head of the Chinese delegation to the Preparatory Commission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, calls upon all states to accept and implement the Chemical Weapons Convention. He criticizes the United States and Russia, the two acknowledged CW possessor states, for their lack of commitment towards the destruction of their stockpiles. China also criticizes the findings made by teams of Japanese experts regarding chemical weapons left by Japan in China during World War II. Huang calls the findings "neither complete nor accurate" and hopes that the investigations will continue in a thorough and speedy process.
— "China Endorses Moves towards Chemical Weapons Ban, Criticizes Japan," Xinhua News Agency, 26 July 1996, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
16 August 1996
Japan announces a plan to clean up chemical weapons left behind in China by the Japanese Army. The clean up will take a period of ten years and the process will start in 1998, a year after the Chemical Weapons Convention is expected to take effect. Under the Convention Japan is responsible for the clean up. Until the treaty comes into force, Japan plans to continue investigations to find out the correct number of weapons left in China by Japan. China also calls on Japan to compensate those injured by leaking chemicals weapons or shell accidents.
Note: At the time of Japan's announcement, the CWC was not yet in force. In September 1996, the 65th country (Hungary) ratified the convention, triggering the six month countdown to entry into force of the CWC. The convention entered into force on April 29, 1997.
— "Japan to Begin Chemical Weapon Disposal Project in China in 1998," Agence France Presse, 16 August 1996, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
10 September 1996
The Japanese government holds a seven-day exhibition in Tokyo to educate the Japanese public about Japan's use of chemical weapons in China during World War II. A photograph panel, gas masks and explanations of the historical use of chemical and nerve agents in warfare are on display at the exhibit, which is organized by a civic group called the Shinjuku Action Committee on the Poison Gas Exhibit. The exhibition will be displayed in several cities around Japan over the coming months.
— "Exhibition Opens on Japan's Wartime Use of Poisonous Gas," Xinhua News Agency, 10 September 1996, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
8 January 1997
U.S. officials are concerned about the possible illegal export of chemical weapons material from China to Iran.
— Barbara Starr, "U.S.A Leaning on China to Stop Iran Uranium Plant," Jane's Defence Weekly, 8 January 1997, Vol. 027, Issue 001.
29 January 1997
Environmentalists in Russia are concerned over China's plans to destroy up to two million shells containing chemical weapons near their border with the Russian Far East. The chemical weapons were abandoned by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
— "Asia Pacific, Chinese CW Disposal," Jane's Defence Weekly, 29 January 1997, Vol. 027, Issue 044.
March 1997
China adopts a supplement to the 1995 "Regulations on Controlled Chemicals," which further details the implementation of the Regulations. It addresses "some weak language in the original 1995 regulations."
— Evan S. Medeiros, ¼Chasing the Dragon: Assessing China's System of Export Controls for WMD-Related Goods and Technologies,¼ RAND National Security Research Division, 2005, www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2005/RAND_MG353.pdf.
2-3 March 1997
Taiwanese newspaper Du Li-Zao Bao (The Independent Morning Post) reports that China's People's Liberation Army imported 500 tons of sarin toxic chemical materials from Ukraine following the collapse of the Soviet Union. On 3 March, a representative from the Ukrainian embassy in Beijing dismisses the allegations as ¼groundless conjectures.¼
— Taiwan Paper Claims Beijing Importing Sarin from Ukraine," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Part 3 Asia-Pacific; China; Foreign Relations, U.S.A; FE/D2858/G, 4 March 1997; Vyacheslav Tomilin, "Ukraine Dismisses Allegations about Selling Sarin to China," ITAR-TASS News Agency, 3 March 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
10 April 1997
Japan and China hold their first joint task force meeting in Beijing to discuss disposal and elimination of chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China during World War II. Disposal is expected to be complete by 2007. The project involves the creation of a destruction plant for the elimination of the abandoned weapons.
— Erik J. Leklem,"Japan Plans the Disposal of CWs," Jane's Defence Weekly, 1 August 1997, Vol. 004, Issue 008.
25 April 1997
China's National People's Congress Standing Committee ratifies the Chemical Weapons Convention.
— "States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention as at 19 November 2004," Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, 2002-2004 OPCW, www.opcw.org/html/db/members_frameset.html
29 October 1997
The United States and China issue a joint statement following talks between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and U.S. President Bill Clinton. According to the statement, both sides agree to cooperate in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention "within a multilateral framework." Both countries agree on the importance of government oversight of chemical-related exports.
— "Full Text of U.S.-China Joint Statement," Xinhua News Agency, 29 October 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
22 May 1997
U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright says that the United States is imposing sanctions against eight Chinese private entities for exporting dual-use chemical precursors and chemical production equipment to Iran. The sanctions forbid U.S. government transactions with the firms for a period of one year and also ban imports into the United States from the firms. Albright says that the U.S. government has no evidence of involvement by the Chinese government.
— "Albright Announces Sanctions against Chinese Firms for Iran Sales," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, International News, 22 May 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
23 May 1997
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issues a statement demanding that the "totally groundless" U.S. sanctions on eight Chinese entities for allegedly exporting dual-use chemicals to Iran be removed. China challenges U.S. claims that the eight Chinese companies were exporting materials that could be used to make chemical weapons.
— "China Demands U.S. Cancels Sanctions over Chemical Weapons," Associated Press, 23 May 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
18 December 1997
China adopts supplemental export control laws to honor its commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and better implement the treaty. Companies can no longer export chemical weapons related agents unless the foreign ministry, foreign trade ministry and the ministry of chemical industry first approve the chemicals.
— "China Tightens Rules on Chemical Weapons Exports," Associated Press, 18 December 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
11 February 1998
Russia offers technical assistance to the Japanese team working in China to destroy the chemical weapons left behind by the Japanese Army during World War II. Russia will help China and Japan to build a small chemical-weapons disposal facility in China.
— "Russia offers assistance on chemical weapons in China,¼ Japan Economic Newswire, 11 February 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
24 May 1998
According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, the China state-run oil company SinoChem concluded a secret deal with Iran's Defense Industry Organization for the purchase of dual-use chemicals that reportedly will enable it to become self-sufficient in producing nerve gas VX. According to the article, China delivers 500 tons of phosphorus pentasulphide in 10 consignments of 50 tons. Subsequently, on 27 May the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mahmoud Mohammadi denies reports in the British press that China supplied Iran with materials for chemical weapons production.
Note: Phosphorus Pentasulphide is not a Chemical Weapons Convention scheduled chemical, but it is listed in the Australia Group. China and Iran are not members of the Australia Group. Therefore, neither country is bound by it.
— Con Coughlin, "China Helps Iran to make Nerve Gas," Telegraph, 24 May 1998, www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1998/05/24/wirn24.html; "Iran Denies Importing Materials for Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 27 May 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
June 1998
During his visit to Beijing, President Clinton issues a joint statement with President Jiang Zemin in which both sides agree to strengthen exports of chemicals or technology that can be used to produce chemical weapons. In the same month, China announces that it has expanded its chemical export controls to include 10 of the 20 Australia Group chemicals not listed on the Chemical Weapons Convention schedules.
— Jennifer Lin and Steven Thomma, "Clinton, Jiang Announce Agreements at Beijing," Knight Ridder Washington Bureau, 27 June 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com; Central Intelligence Agency, Reports, Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions, 1 January-30 June 1999, www.cia.gov/cia/reports/721_reports/jan_jun1999.html
27 July 1998
In China's White Paper on National Defense, Beijing states that "in keeping with the stipulations of the related international convention, any country that has left chemical weapons in another country destroy, as soon as possible, such weapons wholly and thoroughly."
Note: Under the terms of the CWC, Japan is expected to destroy the chemical weapons left on Chinese territory during World War II and pay for the disposal costs.
— "China Defense White Paper says Aggressors Should Destroy Chemical Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, 27 July 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
6 October 1998
In a joint statement, China and the United Kingdom state that as parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention the two countries will continue their commitment to the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery vehicles, and engage in bilateral and international cooperation to achieve these goals.
— "Full Text of China-UK Joint Statement," Xinhua News Agency, 6 October 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
30 October 1998
A Japanese government team seals over 300 chemical weapons left behind by the Japanese Army during World War II in Mutanchiang [Mudanjiang], Heilongjiang Province, and Foushun, Liaoning Province.
Note: According to the Chemical Weapons Convention, Japan has until 2007 to compete the destruction process.
— "Japan Seals Over 300 Chemical Weapons in China," Jiji Press Ticker, 30 October 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
9 February 1999
An annual report for the U.S. Congress from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) points to the exports to Iran, Syria and India of WMD-related items by a number of Chinese and Russian businesses as a major concern to the U.S. intelligence community. While the CIA acknowledges the nonproliferation commitments made by Russia and China, companies in both countries are blamed for exports of chemical weapons-related materials.
— John Diamond, "Russians, Chinese Top Weapons Proliferators, U.S. says," Associated Press, 9 February 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com; Central Intelligence Agency, "Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions," 1 January-30 June 1999, www.cia.gov/cia/reports/721_reports/jan_jun1999.html
March 1999
According to the Pentagon's annual report to Congress, "China is believed to have an advanced chemical warfare program that includes research and development, production and weaponization capabilities. Its current inventory is believed to include the full range of traditional chemical agents. It also has a wide variety of delivery systems for chemical agents to include artillery rockets, aerial bombs, sprayers, and short-range ballistic missiles. [Chinese forces] have conducted defensive CW training and are prepared to operate in a contaminated environment."
— Department of Defense, Nuclear/Biological/Chemical (NBC) Defense, Annual Report to Congress, March 1999, www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/report/1999/99-NBC-Defense-Report.pdf
30 July 1999
The Chinese and Japanese governments sign a Memorandum on the Destruction of Chemical Weapons in Beijing whereby the Japanese formally commit to destroying chemical weapons they abandoned in China during World War II. Under the agreement, Japan is to provide the necessary facilities, experts and expertise and funds to complete the destruction of the munitions. Japan will pay the costs for all financial and technical resources.
Note: Japan is obligated to destroy the munitions under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
— "Signing of MoU between Japan and China on Destruction of Abandoned Chemical Weapons," M2 Presswire, 2 August 1999; Chihiro Kato, "Japan, China OK on Chemical Arms Cleanup," Asahi Shimbun, 31 July 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com; "China's National Defense in 2000," Information Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, October 2000, Beijing, www.china.org.cn/e-white/2000/20-7.htm#b.
12 December 1999
Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Russian President Boris Yeltsin issue a statement in which both sides state their commitment to a complete ban on chemical weapons. The statement was issued during President Yeltsin's two-day visit to China.
— "China, Russia Summit: Main Points of Statement," AFX News, Beijing, 12 December 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
21 December 1999
The Chinese government's Leading Group Office for the Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons announces that the State Petroleum and Chemical Industry Bureau is giving intermediary companies the authority to handle imported triethanolamine and sulfoxide chloride. China's central and local governments will supervise the companies. Triethanolamine is a Schedule 3 chemical under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Note: The CWC includes a list of controlled chemicals that is divided into three schedules. The trade of all chemical listed in the CWC schedules are controlled to varying degrees. Schedule 3 chemicals are toxic chemicals or chemical weapons precursors that have significant commercial value. The trade in these chemicals is the least restrictive of the three schedules.
— ¼China Appoints Intermediaries, Agents for Imports of Triethanolamine, Sulfoxide Chloride,¼ China Online, 21 December 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
24 December 1999
The Japanese government sets aside ¥2.8 billion yen (about $ 27.7 million) to destroy chemical weapons that were left by the Japanese Imperial Army in northeastern China during World War II. The budget will be used to provide money, experts and technology necessary to dispose of the chemical weapons.
Note: China and Japan disagree on the number of weapons left in China; the Japanese government says the number is 700,000 shells while the Chinese government puts the number at two million.
— "Japan Sets Aside 27.7 Million Dollars to Destroy Chemical Weapons in China," Agence France Presse, 24 December 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008
by MIIS.
