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Updated August 2008
Missile Chronology
1995-1999
23 February 1995
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Chen Jian states that the China opposes a U.S.-Japanese joint missile defense project and believes it could "trigger a new round in the arms race around the world." Earlier in the week on 21 February U.S. Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon insisted that the missile defense system was "not aimed at China."
— "China Warns Against Joint U.S.-Japanese Missile Defence Project", Deutsche Presse Agentur, 23 February 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; "U.S. Says Asian Missile Defence System Not Directed at China," Deutsche Presse Agentur, 22 February 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
28 May 1995
According to Xinhua News Agency Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Shen Guofang says that China has cancelled its missile technology control talks with the United States in response to Washington’s 22 May decision to allow Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui to visit the U.S.
—"China Cancels Missile Control Talks with U.S.," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 28 May 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
31 May 1995
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kozo Igarashi says at a news conference that Tokyo "assume(s) that China conducted an ICBM experiment at the end of May." Igarashi’s statement comes in response to a question about a Sankei Shimbun report claiming that China tested a Dong-feng 31 missile on 29 May.
—"China Tests New ICBM," Yomiuri Shimbun, 1 June 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; "China Tested Mobile Missile with Long Range, Japan Says," New York Times, 31 May 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
22 June 1995
According to a New York Times article a recently finished CIA report says that China delivered dozens, or even hundreds of guidance systems and computerized machine tools to Iran. The CIA report goes on to say that Beijing also gave Pakistan parts that could be used in building M-11 ballistic missiles over the past three months. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Chen Jian denies the allegations and says that China will "live up to its promise and commitment."
—Elaine Sciolino, "C.I.A. Report Says Chinese Sent Iran Arms Components," New York Times, 22 June 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Tony Walker and Jurek Martin, "China Rejects Reports of Missile Parts and Supply," Financial Times, 23 June 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
21-27 July 1995
China conducts a series of missile tests believed to include as many as seven M-class and Dong-feng-class short and intermediate range ballistic missiles within the Taiwan Strait. On 27 July China’s Xinhua News agency announces that Beijing had completed its missile "training."
—Dennis Engbarth, China Ends Missile Tests Early, South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), 27 July 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; "China Fires Two More Missiles," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 25 July 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
15-25 August 1995
China conducts another series of missile tests believed to be a reaction to Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui’s May visit to the United States and to his call for Taiwan to be accorded membership to the United Nations.
—"China Concludes Missile Tests off Taiwan," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 25 August 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
24 December 1995
The Taiwan Times reports that China performed three more Taiwan Strait missile tests on 21 December. This time however, Beijing fired the missiles undetected over the island of Taiwan, whereas previous tests had been conducted to the north of the Republic of China.
—China Holds More Missile Tests, Taiwan Times Reports, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 24 December 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Ho Yuen Hua, "China Fires 3 Missiles Over Taiwan, Says Report," Straits Times, 25 December 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
8-15 March 1996
China tests four M-9 ballistic missiles whose northwest Taiwan Strait target zones were within a few dozen miles of Kaohiung, Taiwan’s largest port and northern Keelung harbor. The tests come less than two weeks before Taiwan’s first direct presidential election on 23 March and are widely thought to be an attempt by Beijing to discourage voters from supporting candidates who China believe have a pro-independence agenda such as Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui.
—Patrick E. Tyler, "China Says Maneuvers will Last Through Taiwan’s Elections," New York Times, 16 March 1996, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Choo Li Meng, "China’s Fourth Missile Lands West of Kaohsiung: Taiwan," Straits Times (Singapore), 14 March 1996, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
22 March 1996
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang calls Washington’s sale of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Taiwan "irresponsible".
—Tan Tarn How, "China Slams U.S. Decision to Sell Missiles to Taiwan," Straits Times (Singapore), 22 March 1995, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
2 May 1996
An unnamed Beijing source tells the Hong Kong newspaper Sing Tao Jih Pao that China no longer keeps its missile bases at fixed locations and has an Army-people joint system whereby the military works with local police to ensure the secrecy of the missiles’ locations.
—"Mainland China Reassesses Military Exercises, Takes Precautions Against Leaks of Military Secrets," Sing Tao Jih Pao, in "Mainland Seeks to Control Leaks of ‘Military Secrets’," OSC Document ID FTS19960502000147.
20-21 May 1996
A Washington Times article states that there is a secret Defense Intelligence Agency report which posits that China, pretending to buy space launchers, is actually receiving technology and parts from Russia’s SS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile technology. The report says that the technology is flowing to China outside of official Russian controls. The next day U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry says that Washington warned both Russia and the Ukraine that it "would be significant mistake" if they sold the SS-18 missile technology to China.
—"China’s Arsenal Gets a Russian Boost; Deal for ICBM Technology to U.S., classified Pentagon Report Says," Washington Times, 20 May 1996, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com. "U.S. Warns Russia, Ukraine on Chinese Missile Requests," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 21 May 1996, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
23 July 1996
A CIA source tells the Washington Times of an agency classified report that states that the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corp. (CPMIE), delivered missile-related components to Syria in early June 1996. The report says the CPMIE made the delivery to Scientific Studies and Research Center, a Syrian company that works on ballistic missiles, weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional arms programs.
—"China’s Arsenal Gets a Russian Boost; Deal for ICBM Technology to U.S., Classified Pentagon Report Says," Washington Times, 20 May 1996, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
29 October 1996
Taiwanese newspaper Tzu-li Wan-Pao says that the Taipei’s military intelligence estimates that China would begin mass producing its long range DF-31 ballistic missile the following year and will deploy the missile by the year 2000.
—"Mainland Plans for Dongfeng-31 Missile Production Viewed," Taipei Tzu-li Wan-Pao, 29 October 1996, OSC Document ID FTS19961029000157.
31 May 1997
The U.S. State Department issues a 25-page unclassified document to Congress officially stating that it believes China has sold C-802 ship-based anti-ship cruise missiles to Iran. The report was issued to in order respond to a number of questions that New York Republican Congressman Gerald B. H. Solomon asked Secretary of State Madeline Albright in February. The report also says that China "has advertised" a land-based version of the C-802 but does not explicitly confirm whether Beijing actually transferred the missile to Iran.
—Thomas W. Lippman, "U.S. Confirms China Missile Sale to Iran," Washington Post, 31 May 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
9 July 1997
According to India’s Pioneer newspaper Indian intelligence reports indicate that China is selling M-11 missiles to Pakistan and that Islamabad is using the technology to build its own medium range ballistic missiles. A spokesman for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the Indian newspaper report.
—Pakistan "Making Nuclear Warheads with Chinese Help," Deustch Presse-Agentur, 9 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; "Pakistan Withholds Comment on Nuke Warheads Development Reports," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 9 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
10 July 1997
According to the Washington Times a classified Pentagon report says that China is upgrading its intermediate-range ballistic missile nuclear force that is designed to hit targets in Russia and throughout East Asia, including India, Taiwan and Japan.
—Bill Gertz, "New Chinese Missiles Target All of East Asia", Washington Times, 10 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
23 September 1997
A group of American proliferation specialists, including former science advisor to President Reagan and National Defense University researcher Seth Carus tell a Senate subcommittee that older U.S. missile technology is readily available to potential proliferators through declassified files, information on the internet and military surplus dealers. Carus identifies China as a particular problem since Beijing has both taken considerable advantage of U.S. surplus military technology to enhance its own arsenal and has readily sold its own technology other countries such as Pakistan.
—Bill Gertz, "Ballistic Missiles within Easy Reach for Many Nations; Internet, Surplus Sales Lower Barriers," Washington Times, 23 September 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.
18 October 1997
The New York Times reports that Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen has promised U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright that China will stop selling C-801 and C-802 cruise missiles to Iran at a meeting that took place in advance of summit to take place between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and U.S. President Bill Clinton.
—Steven Erlanger, "U.S. Says Chinese will Stop Sending Missiles to Iran," New York Times, 18 October 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
23 October 1997
U.S. Department of Defense Spokesman Kenneth Bacon tells reporters that China has "a small number of intercontinental ballistic missiles that are probably capable of reaching the United States."
—"Chinese Missiles Could Hit U.S., Pentagon Says, Japan Economic Newswire, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
25 November 1997
The Russian Itar-Tass News Agency quotes Russian the Chief Naval Staff as saying that four destroyers which Russia plans to sell to China may be equipped with state-of-the-art "Yakhont" missiles capable of destroying aircraft carriers and other surface warships. Itar-Tass goes on to say "no navy in the world has the means to combat this missile."
—"Russian Destroyers Built for China May Carry New Missile," Japan Economic Newswire, 25 November 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
10 December 1997
An article in Flight International says that Russia is working together with China to develop a variant of the Zvezda Strela Kh-31P (AS-17 Krypton) anti-radiation missile known as the KR-1. According to the article the Russian tactical missile design house has already given China a small number of the missiles and that these KR-1 missiles may in fact be the same as the Chinese YJ-91 cruise missiles.
—"Russia and China Combine on KR-1, Flight International, 10 December 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis-nexis.com.
20 January 1998
During a meeting between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Defense Secretary William S. Cohen in Beijing, Jiang gives concrete assurances that China will stop sales of C-802 and C-801 anti-ship cruise missiles to Iran. Cohen, who pressed for the assurances, says this will help assure the security of US ships in the Persian Gulf. The assurances come in the wake of US congressional pressure for President Clinton to take a firmer stance on the issue of Chinese weapons proliferation, and a previous US-China summit agreement to halt the missile exports.
—Bill Gertz, "China to Halt Missile Sales to Iran; Cohen Counterpart Backs Up Promise Made at Summit," Washington Times, 20 January, 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com; Bill Gertz, "Chinese President Vows to Halt Missiles to Iran," Washington Times, 21 January, 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
12 March 1998
A leaked intelligence memo states that the Clinton administration plans to offer China advanced missile technology, expanded commercial and scientific space co-operation, and support for their bid to enter into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). In exchange, China would agree to provide assurances that it will not to help Pakistan and Iran with their missile development programs. The deal would waive sanctions imposed for human rights violations from the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident. Proponents of the deal say that it would help curb weapons proliferation and encourage commercial ties between the US and China, but critics point to China’s previous violations of MTCR rules, which it had pledged to follow in the past.
—Tim Weiner, "US Weighs Deal to Halt Missile-Gear Sales to China," The New York Times, 19 March, 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com; Tom Rhodes, James Pringle, "US Offers China Missile Aid in Return for Arms Export Curb," The Times, 19 March 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
27 March 1998
US Pentagon officials announce that China is developing a new short-range missile called the CSSX-7 (Dong Feng-11), a nuclear-capable two-stage solid propellant missile with a range greater than 185 miles.
—Bill Gertz, "Pentagon Confirms Details on Iranian Missiles; Russia, China Provided Technology," The Washington Times, 27 March 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
7 April 1998
The Russian company Progress starts production of about 50 3M-80E Moskit (Sunburn) anti-ship cruise missiles for sale to China. A Russian defense sector official states that the missiles, along with two Sovremenny-class destroyers, are expected to be delivered in late 1999. According to retired US Navy rear admiral Eric McVadon, the weapons represent technology an "order of magnitude" superior to Taiwan’s current capabilities.
—"Russian Firm Starts Turning out Missiles for China," ITAR-TASS News Agency, 7 April 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
13 April 1998
The New York Times references an unreleased 1997 Pentagon report stating that two US companies, Hughes Electronics and Loral Space and Communications, had shared advanced missile guidance technology with China that significantly aided the guidance and control aspects of its long-range missile program. The information had been given while searching for a technical problem that caused a Chinese-boosted Loral satellite to explode during take-off from a Chinese launch site in 1996. The report concluded that because of the transfer, "US national security has been harmed."
—Jeff Gerth, "US Business Role in Policy on China is Under Question," The New York Times, 13 April, 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
1,2 May 1998
According to a CIA report, 13 of China’s 18 CSS-4 long-range strategic missiles are armed with nuclear warheads and targeting US cities. The report states that this configuration indicates that China regards the US as its "major strategic adversary." On a 2 May CNN program, Defense Secretary William S. Cohen responds by saying that the Chinese missile threat was not a major concern, and expressed confidence in Sino-US relations and the US nuclear deterrent.
—Bill Gertz, "China Targets Nukes at US; CIA Missile Report Contradicts Clinton," The Washington Times, 1 May 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com; Joyce Howard Price, "Cohen Not Bothered by China’s Missiles; Plenty of Ability to Retaliate," The Washington Times, 3 May, 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
20 May 1998
The US House of Representatives votes to stop American exports of satellites and satellite technology that could improve the accuracy of Chinese long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. The vote challenges President Clinton’s decision to waive sanctions imposed on China after the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident.
—Eric Schmitt, "House Votes to Prohibit Satellite Exports to China," The New York Times, 21 May 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
16 June 1998
The Washington Times divulges details of a 27 May intelligence report on continuing discussions between China and Iran about sales of missile technology. The Chinese assistance will help Iran develop two medium-range ballistic missile systems, the Shahab-3 and Shahab-4, and a short-range missile system, the NP-110. The same Washington Times report discloses a 14 May intelligence report on a visit to Libya by Chinese missile technicians, purportedly to assist with a Libyan missile program.
—Bill Gertz, "China Assists Iran, Libya on Missiles; New Findings Contradict White House," The Washington Times, 16 June, 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
27 June 1998
Chinese President Jiang Zemin and President Clinton agree to redirect ballistic missiles aimed at each other’s cities at a 25 June - 2 July summit meeting in Beijing. In the framework of spiraling South Asia tensions, the two presidents also agree on a joint statement pledging not to export any nuclear-capable medium- and long-range missiles to India or Pakistan. Also at the summit, President Zemin assents to "actively study" joining the Missile Technology Control Regime.
—John M. Broder, "Clinton in China: The Overview; Tiananmen Comment Leads to Clinton-Jiang Debate," The New York Times, 27 June, 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
14 July 1998
The Washington Times releases details of an intelligence report stating that Sino-US collaboration on rocket/satellite technology in 1996 may form a "technology bridge" to enable China to deploy multiple re-entry vehicles on strategic missiles. The report speculates that the multiple-warhead technology could be adapted for use with CSS-4 or Dong Feng-41 missiles.
—Bill Gertz, "US Technology Builds ‘Bridge’ for China Missile; Beijing Could Be Able to Deploy Multiple Warheads," The Washington Times, 14 July 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
21 July 1998
Pentagon intelligence officials tell The Washington Times that China will add 8 new CSS-4 Mod 2 (Dong Feng-5a) ICBMs to its stockpile by the end of this year, adding to the 18 nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missiles the CIA reported China has already deployed.
—Bill Gertz, "China Adds 6 ICBMs to Arsenal; Plans 2 More Before Moving its Only Plant," The Washington Times, 21 July 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
12 November 1998
US officials protest missile technology transfers from China to Iran at a Beijing meeting to discuss the MTCR. According to US intelligence and national security officials, transfers included telemetry equipment used in testing medium-range missiles, like the Iranian Shahbab-3, or short-range tactical missiles. At the same meeting, Chinese officials protest Taiwan plans to acquire US anti-missile systems as a violation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
—Bill Gertz, "US Protests China Arms Move; Shipment of Missile Technology to Iran Causes Concern," The Washington Times, 7 December 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
10 December 1998
According to the Pakistani newspaper Ausaf, Chinese officials and members of the Afghan Taleban government come to a military accord, allowing Chinese experts access to examine intact, unexploded US cruise missiles in Afghanistan.
—Ausaf, "Taleban, China Sign Defense Accord; Chinese Examine US Missiles," in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 12 December 1998, in LexisNexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
12 January 1999
A Chinese foreign ministry official calls for a broadening of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty into a multi-lateral accord including nations other than the US and Russia. The shift in policy reflects the Clinton administration’s recent efforts to continue research on possible national and theater missile defense systems, and repercussions such systems would have on Sino-Japanese and Cross-Straits relations. According to the official, development of an Anti-Ballistic Missile system may result in China developing more powerful and capable missiles.
—Stephen Fidler and Tony Walker, "China Urges Broadening of Missile Treaty," Financial Times, 13 January 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com; "China in Missile Warning," Courier Mail, 14 January 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
26 January 1999
A Pentagon intelligence report says that the Chinese military conducted exercises in December 1998, simulating missile attacks on Taiwan and US troops in Japan and Korea. According to the report, the simulated firings of CSS-5 (Dong Feng-21) and CSS-2 (Dong Feng-3) missiles "are a sign that China is willing to go to war with the US over the issue of Taiwan."
—Bill Gertz, "Chinese Exercise Targets Taiwan; Missile Practice Aims at US Forces," The Washington Times, 26 January 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
26 January 1999
The Taiwanese newspaper China News reports that a new Patriot missile base will open in Taiwan over the Chinese New Year holiday, in response to the threat from mainland Chinese M-class missiles.
—"Missile Base To Open Over Lunar New Year," China News, 26 January 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
9 February 1999
According to Taiwanese Defense Minister Tang Fei, China is making significant progress in developing a cruise missile capability. At his first conference as defense minister, Tang says that the new Chinese cruise missiles are similar to US Tomahawks and Russian SS-N-22s, and that cruise missiles "will eventually pose a far greater threat than ballistic and nuclear arms."
—Central News Agency, "New Defense Minister on Chinese Cruise Missile Threat," in BBC Monitoring, 11 February 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
10 February 1999
According to Taiwanese officials, the Chinese military deploys more than 100 additional ballistic missiles along the Straits of Taiwan. The new missiles triple the previous number deployed in that region, and according to officials, is a clear response to discussions of a US "missile defense umbrella" that would cover Taiwan.
—John Pomfret, "China Aims More Missiles At Taiwan; US Defense Concept Infuriates Beijing," The Washington Post, 11 February 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
25 February 1999
The Pentagon releases a report, which concludes that the diversion of China’s missiles and other military resources to the Taiwan Straits region is shifting the balance of power between China and Taiwan in China’s favor. The report states that the Chinese military’s current goals include further development of advanced anti-ship cruise missiles, long-range land attack cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles, as well as acquiring missile defenses, space weapons, and "information warfare" capabilities. According to the report, "by 2005, China's People's Liberation Army will possess the capability to attack Taiwan with air and missile strikes which would degrade key military facilities and damage the island's economic infrastructure."
—Bill Gertz, "China Strengthens Position Near Taiwan; Missile Movements Worry Pentagon," The Washington Times, 26 February 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
5 March 1999
A senior Chinese official states at a press conference that the US providing Taiwan with missile defense equipment could be the last straw in US-China relations. The recent transfer of Patriot anti-missile systems, as well as the anticipated sale of Aegis destroyers, would enhance Taiwan’s anti-missile capabilities. The official also noted that closer US ties with Taiwan and Japan would amount to a policy of containment.
—John Pomfret, "Chinese Warn US Not to Arm Taiwan; Official Says Transfer of Missile Defenses Could Be ‘Last Straw’," The Washington Post, 6 March 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
8 March 1999
Energy Secretary Bill Richardson orders the firing of Wen Ho Lee, a Chinese-American weapons designer at Los Alamos National Laboratory, over allegations of providing information about the US-designed W-88 warhead to the Chinese government in the late 1980s. The W-88 is the US arsenal’s most advanced miniaturized warhead.
—Walter Pincus, "Spy Suspect Fired at Los Alamos Lab," The Washington Post, 9 March 1999, in Proquest, www.proquest.com; David E. Sanger and Erik Eckholm, "Will Beijing’s Nuclear Arsenal Stay Small or Will It Mushroom?" The New York Times, 15 March 1999, in Proquest, www.proquest.com.
7 April 1999
According to a Wisconsin Project for Arms Control report, military technology transferred to China since 1988 through legal export channels amount to more of a security threat than the recent allegations of Chinese espionage to acquire US warhead and reentry vehicle designs. Among other technology, the report cites precision machine tools and vibration testing gear - components used to develop C-802 and C-801 cruise missiles, and other types of long-range missiles.
—Bill Gertz, "China Gains From US Nuke Sales; Report Says Military Exports More Damaging Than Thefts," The Washington Times, 7 April 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com; Walter Pincus and Vernon Loeb, "Chinese Stole Data on Reentry Vehicles; US Intelligence Assesses Losses," The Washington Post, 22 April, 1999, in Proquest, www.proquest.com.
25 May 1999
In the Cox Report, a US congressional panel comes to the conclusion that China has stolen plans for missiles and guidance systems for some of the most sophisticated weapons systems in the US arsenal. The technology may have been a factor in improved guidance and design for the Chinese Long March rocket, which may also be used for launching long-range missiles. In addition, US designed miniaturization technology could give China the capability to equip mobile-platform launched missiles like the Dong Feng-31 with nuclear warheads. Also, the report concludes that China plans to add up to 100 more ICBMs to their deployed missile force within the next 15 years, a significant increase from the current estimate of around 30.
—John J. Fialka, "Chinese Stole High-Level Nuclear Data," The Wall Street Journal, 25 May 1999, in Proquest, www.proquest.com; Walter Pincus, "China May Add 100 Missiles Over 15 Years," The Washington Post, 26 May 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com; Stephen Fidler and James Kynge, "China Could Use Stolen US N-technology in Three Years, Long Awaited Congressional Report Warns Beijing Could Soon Launch Missiles From Mobile Silos," Financial Times, 26 May, 1999, in Proquest, www.proquest.com.
20 July 1999
According to an intelligence report cited in The Washington Times, Beijing is allowing an increase in transfers of missile components and possibly some US-origin technology to North Korea, in response to the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia earlier this year. According to a report in a Hong Kong newspaper, unexploded cruise missiles recovered from the same embassy attack also may have provided China the chance to extract advanced technology to enhance their cruise missile program.
—Bill Gertz, "Missile Parts Sent to North Korea by Chinese Companies; Response to Embassy Bombing Seen," The Washington Times, 20 July 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com; Tai Yang Pao website, "Chinese Cruise Missiles Only Five Years Behind USA — Hong Kong Press," in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 23 August 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
3 August 1999
A Xinhua news report states that China tested a new ground-to-ground long-range missile. US military experts say it was probably the Dong Feng-31, a mobile-platform missile able to deliver a 1,500-pound nuclear warhead a distance of 5,000 miles.
—Seth Faison, "In Unusual Announcement, China Tells of a Missile Test," The New York Times, 3 August 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
15 September 1999
The Hong Kong Standard reports on a new unclassified US intelligence report that China transferred M-11 short-range ballistic missiles to Pakistan. US State Department Deputy Spokesman James Foley says that the transfers could lead to additional sanctions under export control laws.
—"Chinese Missiles Supplied to Pakistan," Hong Kong Standard, 15 September 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com; "US Determines Imposing Sanctions on China, Pakistan for Missile Transfers," The Times of India, 16 September 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
1 October 1999
Along with its new Dong Feng-31, China parades a new version of its short-range M-11 missile at the National Day military parade. The new missile, also called the CSS-7 Mod 2, has a longer range, larger warhead, and greater accuracy than earlier M-11s, and is being deployed in large numbers in the Taiwan straits region.
—Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough, "Inside the Ring," The Washington Times, 8 October 1999, in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexisnexis.com.
8 December 1999
At a National Defense Industrial Association luncheon in Washington, D.C., a Chinese defense official announces Chinese military plans to deploy a modified version of the Dong Feng-31, called the Ju Lang-2, on its ballistic missile submarines.
—Pennington Way IV, "Chinese Official: New DF-31 Missile To Go On Submarines," Defense Daily, 9 December 1999, in Proquest, www.proquest.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 © 2010 by MIIS.
