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Updated August 2008
Missile Chronology
2000-2004
12 February 2000
Taiwan’s Chief of General Staff Tang Yao-ming tells reporters that earlier in the day China sailed a Russian-built Sovremenny-class destroyer through the Taiwan Strait en route to its port of delivery. The ship is the first of two such destroyers to be delivered this year, both armed with Russian anti-ship Sunburn cruise missiles.
— Craig S. Smith, “New Chinese Guided-Missile Ship Heightens Tensions,” The New York Times, 9 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; “Taiwan Reports on New Chinese Warship,” The New York Times, Reuters, 12 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
12 February 2000
A Chinese national is detained by customs officials at Los Angeles International Airport for trying to leave the country with sensitive components used in missile guidance systems. The man had told undercover agents that the technology was to be used, “by the Chinese government on missile and reconnaissance systems.”
—“Man Arrested With Missile Guidance Gear,” The New York Times, 15 February 2000, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
1 March 2000
In a statement to the Control Yuan, the Taiwanese army states that Patriot anti-missile systems deployed in Taiwan should have the capability to intercept Chinese M-series missiles. Although a large concentration of Chinese missiles are deployed only 200 km from Taiwan and would allow for little reaction time, Army officials displayed confidence in the Patriot system’s quick response time.
—Central News Agency, “Taiwan Army Says Its Patriots Can Intercept Chinese M-Series Missiles,” in BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, 1 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
10 May 2000
In an interview, China’s chief arms negotiator Sha Zhukang warns that if the US goes ahead with the deployment of theater missile defense, China will respond with measures like producing more nuclear warheads and developing more effective evasion methods for their missiles. Sha also describes the projected missile defense system as “threatening to China.”
—Jane Perlez, “China Likely to Modernize Nuclear Arms, US Believes,” The New York Times, 12 May 2000, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
16 May 2000
According to a spokesman for the Russian military-industrial complex, a 24-missile shipment of Russian Moskit (Sunburn) anti-ship cruise missiles arrives in China. The shipment is the first of two to be made this year.
—ITAR-TASS News Agency, “First Lot Of Russian Moskit Missiles Shipped To China,” 16 May, 2000, in BBC Monitoring Former Soviet Union – Economic, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
2 July 2000
According to a U.S. intelligence report, China is continuing to supply missile materials and technology to Pakistan, although it is not believed to shipping completed missile systems as in the past. The reports come in the context of Congress considering a bill designed to punish China for its proliferation activities, while the Clinton administration is trying to normalize trade relations with China.
—Thomas E. Ricks, “China Still Aiding Pakistan’s Missile Program, Reports Indicate,” The Washington Post, 2 July, 2000, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>; David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt, “Reports Say China is Aiding Pakistan on Missile Project,” The New York Times, 2 July, 2000, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
11 July 2000
During Defense Secretary William S. Cohen’s visit to China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi links continued Chinese proliferation of missile technology to U.S. decisions to continue pursuing missile defense. Chinese officials specifically connect Washington’s construction of a missile defense system covering Taiwan to Beijing’s future transfers to Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries. Conversely, the Clinton administration ties U.S. missile defense efforts with Chinese missile base buildups across the Taiwan Strait.
—John Pomfret, “China Again Demands US Drop Missile Defense Plan; Beijing Links Weapon Exports to American Verdict in System,” The Washington Post, 12 July, 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
28 September 2000
The Pentagon approves the sale of a $1.3 billion arms package to Taiwan, including 200 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), which under an unusual clause will not be transferred unless China develops a similar air-to-air missile capability. The reasoning behind the clause is to preserve stability of the regional military balance.
—“Missile Sale to Taiwan Has Unusual Clause,” The New York Times, Associated Press, 30 Sept 2000, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
21 November 2000
In response to a pledge from China to rigorously control its missile exports, the US government agrees to resume issuing licenses for US commercial space-launches in China. China promises to configure its export control standards closer to the MTCR, and pledges not to help other countries “in any way” develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. The space launch licenses had been suspended since February.
—Carla Anne Robbins and Andy Pasztor, “US to Ease Space-Launch Suspension in China After Pledge of Missile Control,” The Wall Street Journal, 22 Nov 2000, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
5 February 2001
According to a senior US military official, the Chinese military is continuing to add short-range missiles to its arsenal deployed along the Taiwan straits, bringing the estimated total up to 300 missiles. The official also stated that China continues to receive high-level missile technology from Russia, naming the Russian company Rosvooruzheniye as “becoming China’s major supplier.” In addition to advanced ballistic missile technology, Russia has also been supplying the Chinese military with strategic nuclear warhead technology.
—Bill Gertz, “China Adding Missiles Aimed Toward Taiwan; US Warns of Increasing Destabilization,” The Washington Times, 5 February 2001, in Lexis-Nexis http://www.lexisnexis.com.
28 February 2001
US officials accuse Huawei Technologies Company, a private Chinese telecommunications firm, of selling fiber-optic technology to Iraq to rebuild and improve its anti-aircraft missile systems. Such sales go against UN sanctions, and according to officials created a threat, resulting in the bombardment of Iraqi air defenses by US and British warplanes patrolling the no-fly zone in February. Chinese government officials announce they may be willing to investigate the incident.
—John Pomfret and Phillip P. Pan, “Chinese Firm is Focus of US Iraqi Suspicions,” The Washington Post, 1 March 2001, in ProQuest <http://www.proquest.com>; John Pomfret “China Shifts Stance, May Probe US Claims That It Assisted Iraq,” The Washington Post, 28 February 2001, in ProQuest <http://www.proquest.com>.
21 April 2001
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the Bush Administrations has decided not to sell advanced anti-missile system-equipped Aegis destroyers to Taiwan, but will keep the possibility open depending on developments in Chinese-Taiwanese relations and the Chinese missile buildup. Some senior Pentagon officials had originally pushed for a more overt connection between the Aegis sale and pressure on China to curb missile deployments along the Taiwan straits, but the White House elected to use a less forceful approach.
—Neil King, Jr., “Bush Defers Sale of Aegis to Taiwan,” The Wall Street Journal, 21 April 2001, in ProQuest <http://www.proquest.com>.
1 May 2001
At a speech at the National Defense University, President Bush announces plans to pull the US out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and calls for the deployment of a missile defense system “to protect the United States and its allies from rogue nuclear nations.” The announcement prompted Democrats from the US House of Representatives to express alarm about a possible new arms race with China, which is thought to have approximately 20 nuclear-capable ICBMs in its arsenal and may seek to expand its deterrence capability. Sun Yuxi, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, says that although opposed to the development of a missile defense system, China is willing to engage in negotiations with the US.
—Bill Sammon, “Bush Scraps ’72 Treaty for a Shield; Targets Pacts on ABMs as an Obstacle,” The Washington Times, 2 May 2001, in Lexis-Nexis <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; Carla Anne Robbins, “Bush Speaks of Leaving ABM Pact, Building a Missile Defense System,” The Wall Street Journal, 2 May 2001, in ProQuest <http://www.proquest.com>; “China Willing to Negotiate With the US on TMD, NMD: FM Spokesman,” Xinhua, 10 May 2001, in Lexis-Nexis <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
15 May 2001
Assistant Secretary of State for Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly meets with Chinese arms control and foreign policy officials to make the case for the proposed missile defense system. Chinese officials maintain that the system would endanger global security, and that it would “harm others without benefiting the United States itself.”
—Erik Eckholm, “China Unconvinced as Missile Talks End,” The New York Times, 16 May 2001, in Lexis-Nexis <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
June 2001
The Journal of Electronic Defense publishes a report that the Chinese military’s CSS-7 missiles may be much more of a threat to Taiwan than previously believed, because of the use of extremely accurate American GPS guidance systems. The report stated that the low-cost GPS systems could be easily ordered from 32 American mail-order companies, and had a standard accuracy of 1-5 meters 95% of the time.
—Kenneth B. Sherman, “GPS May Heighten CSS-7 Threat,” Journal of Electronic Warfare, June 2001, in ProQuest <http://www.proquest.com>.
10 June 2001
China test-fires a new type of air-launched land-attack cruise missile, called the Hong Niao (Red Bird). Military experts say that the new missile is an extended-range version of the C-802 anti-ship cruise missile, with a range of at least 177km, and is thought to be a hybrid of Russian Kh-55, US Tomahawk, and Israeli cruise missile technologies.
—“China Test-Fires Land-Attack Cruise Missile,” The Straits Times, 10 June, 2001, in Lexis-Nexis <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
28 July 2001
Secretary of State Colin Powell meets with Chinese leaders, discussing alleged missile proliferation to Pakistan among other subjects. US diplomats had filed formal complaints about multiple transfers of nuclear-capable missiles and missile technology, which Chinese officials deny, and have not replied to US requests for clarification. Chinese leaders, however, do agree to consult with US experts on domestic missile export guidelines. The issue of grandfathering old contracts is still contentious though, and Powell has not ruled out sanctions as a response to continued proliferation, a marked policy shift from the Clinton administration.
—Steven Mufson and Philip P. Pan, “US, China Set For More Talks; Powell Raises Rights, Arms Issues,” The Washington Post, 29 July 2001, in Lexis-Nexis <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; John Pomfret, “US Protests Exports of Missiles By China; Beijing Denies Sales; Powell To Raise Issue on Visit,” The Washington Post, 27 July 2001, in ProQuest <http://www.proquest.com>.
31 August 2001
The Bush Administration decides to impose sanctions on Chinese National Machinery
and Equipment Import and Export Corporation (CMEC) for supplying Pakistan with missile components for its nuclear-capable Shaheen 1 and 2 ballistic missile programs. The sanctions will be imposed after China’s pledge in November 2000 to stop such proliferation activity, and before President Bush’s upcoming first official visit to China. The sanctions will prevent US companies from launching satellites on Chinese rockets, and will forbid any transfers of US technology to the Chinese satellite industry.
—Robin Wright, “US To Sanction Chinese Firm; Asia: Washington Says The Arms Maker Has Sold Parts To Pakistan in Violation of the Accord Reached in Beijing,” Los Angeles Times, 1 September 2001, in ProQuest <http://www.proquest.com>; Bill Gertz, “Beijing Breaks Pledge, Helps Pakistan Arm,” The Washington Times, 6 August 2001, in Lexis-Nexis <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
9 January 2002
According to the Washington Times a new National Intelligence Council report states that China is converting its silo-based ICBM arsenal to mobile platforms, and may improve its strategic capabilities by developing multiple-warhead technology. The report also projects that the Chinese arsenal will grow from its currently estimated 20 warheads to about 75-100 warheads. The report also goes on to say that China may have abandoned the long-range Dong Feng-41 program in favor of further upgrading the range of its new Dong Feng-31 ICBM.
—Bill Gertz, “Report Upgrades China’s Threat as a Nuclear Power, Intelligence Council Predicts Deployment of Multiple Warheads,” The Washington Times, 11 January 2002, in Lexis-Nexis, <htpp://www.lexisnexis.com>; Bill Gertz, “Intelligence Report Sees China Greatly Increasing Missile Force; Also Cites Long-Range Arms of North Korea, Iran, Iraq,” The Washington Times, 10 January 2002, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
21 February 2002
During an official visit to Beijing, President Bush pushes for a stronger Chinese commitment against missile proliferation, but no conclusion is reached. US officials had been pressuring China to formulate strict domestic export control laws to limit the sales of missiles and dual use missile components, as well and chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons technology to countries like Iran, Pakistan, and North Korea. The issue was not resolved because of a dispute over the grandfathering of Chinese contracts, and the refusal of the US to allow American companies to launch satellites with Chinese rockets.
—Jim VandeHei and Charles Hutzler, “Bush’s China Visit Shows Antiterror Campaign is Tough Sell,” The Wall Street Journal, 22 February 2002, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>; “David Rennie, “Bush Asks China to Curb Missile Sales: US President Thanks Jiang For Help in War on Terrorism as Leaders Hold Strained Meeting: Unsatisfactory Answers,” National Post (Canada), 22 February 2002, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
20 May 2002
According to a Washington Times report, the US government sanctions Chinese companies including Norinco, Chinese Precision Machinery Import/Export Corporation, for the proliferation of cruise missile technology to Iran, in violation of the 2000 Iran Nonproliferation Act. The technology may be related to Iran’s new ground-launched anti-ship cruise missile program that is based on the Chinese Silkworm. The two-year sanctions would bar US companies from business dealings with the sanctioned Chinese entities.
—Bill Gertz, “Exporting Weapons Draw US Sanctions; China, Europe Firms Sell to Iran,” The Washington Times, 20 May 2002, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; Alex Wagner, “Washington Levies Sanctions for WMD-Related Transfers to Iran,” Arms Control Today, June 2002, 32.5, p.31, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
25 June 2002
According to Western and Russian sources, China and Russia are in negotiations for a transfer of eight new Russian submarines, worth a reported $1.6 billion. The Project 636 Kilo-class submarines would come equipped with the SS-N-27 Klub (Sizzler) long-range anti-ship cruise missile system, and would be part of a larger $4 billion arms acquisition package including additional Sovremnny-class destroyers capable of firing SS-N-22 Moskit (Sunburn) supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. These acquisitions, which may take place over the next 4-5 years, could vastly improve China’s ability to blockade Taiwan and threaten US warships.
—John Pomfret, “China to Buy 8 More Russian Submarines; $1.6 Billion Deal Would Aid a Blockade of Taiwan, Challenge US Power in Region,” The Washington Post, 25 June, 2002, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
12 July 2002
The Pentagon releases a report which says that China is upgrading the range of its missiles, and has deployed all of its 350 short-range missiles along the Taiwan Strait. The reports discloses that all 20 CSS-4 liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) will be replaced by longer-range CSS-4 Mod 2s, and that China will start deploying the new solid-fueled DF-31 ICBM mid-decade along with new submarine-launched ICBMs. The report also declares that, apart from Taiwan, the coastal buildup also poses a threat to Japan and the Philippines. Secretary of State Colin Powell, however, states that he does not see the reported Chinese military buildup as a cause for concern.
—Bill Gertz, “Chinese Buildup Targets Taiwan; Pentagon Reports on Nuclear Threat,” The Washington Times, 13 July 2002, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; Vernon Loeb, “China Buildup Said to Target Taiwan, US; Pentagon Says Beijing’s Military Spending Increases Options for Missile Attacks,” The Washington Post, 13 July, 2003, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
25 August 2002
PRC Premier Zhu Rongji signs into effect a new 24 article list of missile export control regulations entitled the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Export Control of Missile and Missile-related technology. The list comes after prolonged pressure on Beijing from the US to curb proliferation to countries like Iran and Pakistan. The regulations, which use the original Missile Technology Control Regime standard limiting exports of missiles with 500 kg payloads and 300 kg ranges, will also address dual-use technologies and components as well through a yet-unpublished control list specifying problematic items and technologies. The new measures come at a time when Chinese leaders are hoping to improve Sino-US relations, especially before a presidential summit set to take place in October.
—James Kyunge, “China Lists Missile Technology Export Rules; Weapons Licences Triumph For Washington In Moves to Prevent Supply of Military Technologies to 'Axis Of Evil’,” Financial Times, 26 August 2002, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>; Meng Yan, “Rules Released on Missile Exports,” China Daily, 26 August 2002, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; Rose Gordon, “China Issues Missile Export Controls,” Arms Control Today, September 2002, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
20 November 2002
According to US intelligence officials, China test-fires a new supersonic anti-ship cruise missile. The missile, called the Ying Ji-83 (C-803), has a range of about 250 km, much farther than US officials had anticipated.
—Bill Gertz, “Chinese Missile Has Twice the Range US Anticipated,” The Washington Times, 20 November, 2002, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; Michael Fiszer, Jerzy Gruszczynski, “China Tests New Anti-Ship Cruise Missile,” Journal of Electronic Defense, January 2003, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
2 January 2003
US Intelligence officials disclose that the Bush Administration has asked Israel to stop the sale of anti-radar Harpy UAVs to China, citing concerns about the growing threat to Taiwan. The transfers were made sometime in 2002, but due to US concerns, Israel has agreed to cancel all remaining contracts for exports of arms and other security equipment to China.
—Bill Gertz, “Israel Asked to Stop Arms Sales to China; US Seeks to Curb Threat To Taiwan,” The Washington Times, 3 January 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
27 January 2003
Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha expresses his concern over Indian intelligence reports about continuing Chinese assistance in the Pakistani missile program. The reports describe Chinese missile technology proliferation occurring via third parties like North Korea, which Sinha stated may affect the future of Sino-Indian relations.
—Edward Luce, “Claims of China-Pakistan Nuclear Links Trouble India; New Delhi Voices Concern Over Intelligence Reports That Beijing Continues To Supply Technology,” Financial Times, 28 January, 2003, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
7 February 2003
According to a report in Japan’s Daily Yomiuri, China successfully tests a medium-range Dong Feng-21 ballistic missile with Multiple Independently-Targeted Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. The test is the first successful demonstration of Chinese MIRV capability, and is thought to have been developed as a response to the further US development of a ballistic missile defense system in East Asia.
—Hiroyuki Sugiyama, “China Successfully Tests Multi-Warhead Missiles,” The Daily Yomiuri, 8 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
5 March 2003
Boeing Co. and Hughes Electronic Corp., two companies accused of illegal transfers of US space launch technology to China in the mid-1990s, settle their cases by paying the US government a $32 million settlement. The US State Department had pursued the case because of its contention that such transfers could help contribute to the Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile program. In addition to the settlement, the companies agreed to hire a special export controls compliance officer.
—Renae Merle, “Hughes, Boeing Settle With US,” The Washington Post, 6 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
9 May 2003
According to officials in the Bush Administration, sanctions are being levied against North China Industries Corp. (Norinco), one of China’s biggest military-industry conglomerates. Norinco has been accused of selling to Iran specialty steel which could be used for the production of missiles. The two-year sanctions would prohibit any Norinco transactions with US entities, at a reported cost of “hundreds of millions of dollars.”
—Bill Gertz, “Chinese Firm Hit With US Sanctions; Company Sold Missile Steel to Iran,” The Washington Times, 23 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; Michael Dobbs and Glen Kessler, “US Penalizes Chinese Firm Over Alleged Missile Aid to Iran,” The Washington Post, 23 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
4 July 2003
The Bush Administration imposes sanctions on 6 Chinese entities including China Northern Industries Corp. (Norinco) and China Precision Machinery Import/Export Corp., for a variety of transfers to Iran involving sensitive WMD and missile technology. The materials transferred were not specified, but were in violation of the 2000 Iran Nonproliferation Act. These sanctions come at a time when US leaders are in talks with senior Chinese diplomats regarding the North Korean nuclear program.
—Bill Gertz, “US Sets Sanctions For Iran Arms Sales; Chinese, North Korean Firms Targeted,” 4 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; Davis E. Sanger, “US Penalizes 6 Asian Firms For Helping Iran Arm Itself,” The New York Times, 4 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
30 July 2003
According to the US Department of Defense’s annual report to Congress on the Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is not only targeting its coastal stockpile of deployed short-range missiles at Taiwan, but also at US forces in Okinawa. The report estimates China’s coastal stockpile of missiles at around 450, and says that it continues to grow at a rate of about 75 per year. It also states that China is in the process of configuring medium-range missiles targeting Okinawa that could be deployed further inland. The report concludes that one goal of the buildup was to “complicate United States intervention in a Taiwan Strait conflict.”
—Bill Gertz, “Pentagon Says China Refitting Missiles to Hit Okinawa; Beijing Also Reportedly Expanding Its Arsenal For Targeting Taiwan,” The Washington Times, 31 July, 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>, Thom Shanker, “US Says China is Stepping Up Short-Range Missile Production,” The New York Times, 31 July, 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
18 September 2003
The Bush Administration imposes a new set of sanctions of Chinese export firms for transfers of missile technology, according to State Department officials. The new sanctions, reportedly the harshest to date, will also target the Chinese government by prohibiting any kind of missile-related technology transfers to China, including US satellites being launched on Chinese rockets. Additionally, the sanctions would ban all Chinese imports from China Northern Industries Corp. (Norinco) among other kinds of imports, and would represent lost sales of billions of dollars, according to US officials.
—Bill Gertz, “US Tags China With Stiff Penalties,” The Washington Times, 19 September, 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; Wade Boese, “US Imposes More Proliferation Sanctions,” Arms Control Today, October 2003, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
26 November 2003
Gao Zhan, most notably a Chinese human-rights activist, pleads guilty to charges that she illegally sold sensitive US missile technology to the Chinese government in a business transaction. She faces up to 13 years in prison for the US government-controlled Intel 486 DX military microprocessor sales to a Chinese government-controlled defense firm specializing in radar design. However, John Frankenstein, a Chinese defense specialist, argues that these chips are already obsolete compared to the current Chinese defense industry standard, and would be of no significant use to the Chinese military.
—David Rennie, “I Gave US Missile Secrets to China, Says Human Rights Activist,” The Daily Telegraph, 27 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>; Spencer S. Hsu, “Scholar Says US Unharmed; Gao Defends Human Rights Efforts, Appeals For Sympathy,” The Washington Post, 28 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
4 January 2004
A Hong Kong news publication reports that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Second Artillery Corps has recently undergone major high-level personnel restructuring. The corps, which is in charge of China’s nuclear and non-nuclear ballistic missile arsenal, underwent the restructuring last December following an announcement by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-Bian about a precise number of ballistic missiles being aimed towards Taiwan. This caused speculation of an information leak, leading to the formal announcement of the restructuring on December 26. The news report also acknowledged a continuing Chinese military plan to streamline operations as another reason for the restructuring.
—Hong Kong Hsiang Kang Shang Pao, “Chinese Army Carries Out “Rare” High-Level Restructuring,” in BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, 4 January, 2004, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
17 March 2004
American intelligence officials state that the Chinese military has held five missile tests since the beginning of this year, involving four new missile types including the new Dong Feng-31 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile as well as other medium- and short-range missiles. The tests have come in the months leading up to the Taiwanese presidential elections where a revised referendum on the possible purchase of U.S. missile defense systems will be voted on. The original referendum included language calling for the de-escalation of Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan and an end to Chinese aggression. This wording was omitted in the new referendum partially because of U.S. pressure against such a provocative measure. Even so, Chinese officials believe the purchase of missile defense systems could represent steps towards Taiwanese independence.
—Bill Gertz, “China Flexes Missile Muscle On Eve of Taiwan Vote,” Washington Times, 18 March 2004, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>, Wade Boese, “Taiwan, China, and US in Arms Referendum Imbroglio,” Arms Control Today, March 2004, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
3 April 2004
The Bush Administration announces new sanctions under the 2000 Iran Nonproliferation Act, penalizing 13 foreign companies including China North Industries Corp. and China Precision Machinery Import Export Company, as well as companies in 6 other countries. The sanctions reportedly punish transfers of sensitive long-range missile technology, and will prevent US companies from trading with those companies for a period of two years.
—Judith Miller, “US Imposes Sanctions on Companies Aiding Iran With Arms,” The New York Times, 3 April, 2004, The International Herald Tribune, 17 April 2004, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
25 May 2004
According to a Xinhua news report, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce have fined two Chinese companies for violating Chinese missile technology export control regulations. According to the report, the fines charged to the companies amounted to, “millions of yuan.”
—“Two Chinese Companies Fined For Violating Regulations on Missile Export Control,” Xinhua, 25 May 2004, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexisnexis.com>.
1 June 2004
Taiwan’s military magazine produces a defense report stating that China is improving the Long March 1D (CZ-1D) rocket which is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. The CZ-1D rocket’s 200km payload is up to 1,000kg, and its 500km payload is 600kg. This rocket is used primarily as a space launch vehicle. China is also modifying its nuclear capable Dongfan-4 (DF-4) and CZ-4D missiles.
—Lin Changsheng, “A Major Power's Long Sword (Red Nuclear Terror in Asia [as published]),” Taipei Ch'uan-Ch'iu Fang-Wei Tsa-Chih, 1 June 2004, in “Taiwan Military Magazine Discusses 'Hidden Power' of PRC Second Artillery,” OSC Document CPP20040702000196, p. 51-55.
18 August 2004
Interaero Inc., a U.S. aircraft parts supplier, pleads guilty to the charges of transferring $40,000 worth of sensitive missile-related equipment to a supplier in China, which in turn planned to trans-ship the equipment to Iran. The transfers, which happened in six installments in 2000 and 2001, violated U.S. export control laws and will result in a $500,000 fine, as well as 5 years of corporate probation.
—“Firm Pleads Guilty to Exporting Missile Parts,” The Wall Street Journal, 18 August 2004, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
17 September 2004
According to a report in Jane’s Missiles and Rockets, China tests a new indigenously-developed long-range land-attack cruise missile. The new missile, designated the Dong Hai-10, has a range of more than 1500 km and has a GPS-based navigation system able to hit targets with accuracy within a 10-meter radius. The report also mentions another land attack cruise missile, the Ying Ji-63, which it predicts will be fielded within the next few years.
—“China Tests New Land-Attack Cruise Missile,” Jane’s Missiles and Rockets, 17 September 2004; Mure Dickie and Kathrin Hille, “China Tests New Long-Range Missile; New Threat To Taiwan,” Financial Times, 21 September 2004, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
24 September 2004
The U.S. government sanctions the Chinese government-run entities China Xinshidai Company and China New Era Group, for missile technology proliferation to an unnamed recipient. The companies respond by calling the sanctions “groundless”.
—Mure Dickie, “US Imposes Sanctions on Chinese Arms Group,” Financial Times, 24 September 2004, in ProQuest, <http://www.proquest.com>; WorldSources Online, “Chinese Companies Issue Statement Protesting US Sanctions,” Xinhua, 30 September 2004, in Proquest, <http://www.proquest.com>.
8 October 2004
In a plenary meeting of the Missile Technology Control Regime, the 34 members do not mention China’s bid to join the supplier regime. According to a U.S. official, this implies that the members are not satisfied with China’s efforts to meet nonproliferation standards, and would be concerned about China’s ability to carry out the MTCR’s guidelines. China joined another supplier regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, earlier this year, but has also been sanctioned recently on multiple occasions for proliferation activities.
—Wade Boese, “Missile Regime Puts Off China,” Arms Control Today, November 2004, in Proquest, <http://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 © 2008
by MIIS.
