19 January 1992
The Dalai Lama tells the Press Trust of India in Bangalore, where he is living in exile, that China is discarding nuclear waste in Tibet and planning to establish a nuclear weapons plant there.
--"Dalai Lama Says China Dumping Nuclear Waste in Tibet," Agence France Presse, 19 January 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

20 January 1992
Since 1990, French intelligence has been tracking Chinese nuclear specialists stopping over in Paris on their way to Algiers. According to the French data, in the first year of surveillance, 150 to 200 Chinese scientists traveled to the Ain Oussera nuclear facility just south of the Algerian capital; authorities expect that a similar number made the trip in 1991. U.S. intelligence sources have determined that a large number of the Chinese technicians traveling to Algiers specialize in "warhead miniaturization" and have experience attaching warheads to SCUD missiles. IAEA officials have expressed concern that the Ain Oussera reactor is being used to produce plutonium.
--"Chinese Nuclear Technicians to Algeria," Mednews, 20 January, p. 8, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

31 January 1992
In his first speech before the United Nations, Russian President Boris Yeltsin calls for China, France and the United Kingdom to mirror US and Russian moves to reduce nuclear arms. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Duan Jin states, "China will naturally take part in the process of nuclear disarmament and join efforts for the complete destruction of nuclear weapons once the United States and Russia reduce their nuclear capacity to a level matching that of China."
--"Yeltsin Can't Persuade Britain To Cut Nukes," Washington Times, 31 January 1992, p. A1, A9; Banning N. Garrett and Bonnie S. Glaser, "Chinese Perspectives On Nuclear Arms Control," International Security, Winter 1995/96, p. 47; Roxane D. V. Sismanidis, "China and the Post-Soviet Security Structure," Asian Affairs, Spring 1994, p. 44; "China Sets Condition for Atom-Arms Cuts," The New York Times, 31 January 1992, p. A2, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

9 March 1992
China accedes to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). During a meeting with British Prime Minister John Major in London, Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen submits formal NPT accession papers, saying, "China has all along stood for a complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons...China does not advocate, encourage or engage in the proliferation of nuclear weapons, nor does it help other countries to develop nuclear weapons."
--"China Hands Over Non-Proliferation Document to Britain," Xinhua General News Service, 9 March 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

27 March 1992
Syria’s legislature approves draft of a bill permitting the purchase of two 24 MW(e) nuclear reactors from China. Damascus receives IAEA approval for the reactors after promising to accede to the NPT. The reactors will operate under IAEA safeguards.
--Laura Marlowe, "Syria to Buy Chinese Nuclear Reactors," Financial Times, 27 March 1992, p. 4, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

24 April 1992
In a working paper to the United Nations, China states that "even after cutting their nuclear arsenals in accordance with their agreements and announcements, [the United States and the USSR] will still possess the largest number of nuclear weapons in the world." Both countries should therefore: (1) "take the lead in halting the testing, production and deployment of nuclear weapons"; (2) "drastically cut all types of nuclear weapons deployed at home and abroad"; and (3) "major space powers should halt the arms race in outer space and the development of space weapons, especially nuclear-related space weapons."
--J. Mohan Malik, "China’s Policy Towards Nuclear Arms Control in the Post-Cold War Era," Contemporary Security Policy, August 1995, p. 7.

21 May 1992
China conducts its 37th nuclear test at the Lop Nor test site in Xinjiang Province. This test is China’s largest underground nuclear explosion with an estimated one-megaton yield. U.S. State Department spokesperson Richard Boucher responds, "We regret that the Chinese have conducted this test and that they are not demonstrating the same restraint as shown by Russia, ourselves, or the other nuclear weapons states."
--Barabara Crossette, "Chinese Set Off Their Biggest Nuclear Explosion," The New York Times, 22 May 1992, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Malcolm Browne, "Nuclear Test Illuminates Earth’s Interior," The New York Times, 11 February 1993, p. B16, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

17 June 1992
Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Jianmin announces that China is pleased with the new pledge issued by the United States and Russia to cut their strategic nuclear arsenals. Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Jianmin says, "We hope they will implement this treaty in earnest." Wu does not express Chinese plans to follow suit.
--"China Welcomes Russo-US Pledge On Missiles," Reuters (Beijing), 18 June 1992.

9 September 1992
During a two-day visit to Beijing, Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani and Defence Minister Akbar Korkan discuss nuclear cooperation with their Chinese counterparts, including plans underway to acquire a 300-megawatt nuclear reactor from China. The U.S. has expressed concern that China is enabling Iran, and other countries, to enrich uranium that could be used to make nuclear weapons. The accusation is supported by the Iranian opposition, who maintains that China secretly supplied Iran with a calutron and a 23-30-megawatt research reactor in 1991. Both China and Iran deny the claims, saying that their nuclear collaboration is strictly for civilian purposes.
--Elaine Sciolino, "China Will Build A-Plant for Iran," The New York Times, 11 September 1992, p. A6, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Yvonne Preston, "Rafsanjani China Visit Reises N-Arms Fears," Financial Times, 10 September 1992, p. 6, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Mark Hibbs, "IAEA Inspectors to Revisit Iran; ‘Nothing on the Ground,’ U.S. Says," Nucleonics Week, 20 August 1992, p. 7, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

18 September 1992
The IAEA passes a resolution condemning Chinese and French nuclear tests in the face of international efforts to pass a ban nuclear testing. Without directly naming China and France, the resolution expressed "great anxiety over the resumption of nuclear testing" and "called urgently on countries that have nuclear program[s] to abandon them." China conducted its most recent nuclear test on 21 May at the Lop Nur testing site in Xinjiang Province. France’s most recent test was on 5 September on Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific.
--"IAEA Closes Conference With Resolution Condemning Nuclear Tests," Agence France Presse, 22 September 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; "China’s Nuclear Tests: Dates, Yields, Types, Methods, and Comments," Resources on China, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, June 1998, from CNS website, http://cns.miis.edu/research/china/coxrep/testlist.htm.

23 September 1992
In an interview with Nucleonics Week, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Energy and Bureau of International Cooperation at the China National Nuclear Corp. Liu Xuehong says that China has denied Iran the purchase of a 25-30 megawatt nuclear reactor due to "technical difficulties." Western authorities speculate that Beijing cancelled the sale to Iran as a means of securing MFN trading status from the U.S. Liu denies that the reactor would have posed a threat to international security, saying that the yield of weapons-grade plutonium - 6 kilograms per year - would be too low to make a nuclear weapon. "Such a facility would not be interesting to parties who have non-peaceful intentions," Liu says.
--Mark Hibbs, "Sensitive Iran Reactor Deal May Hinge on MFN for China," Nucleonics Week, 1 October 1992, p. 5, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

26 September 1992
British scientists at the Imperial College in London detect seismic activity which they believe to be China’s 38th nuclear test. They estimate the yield to be between one and 20 kilotons, placing it within the tactical nuclear weapons category. The test follows China’s one megaton-yield test, conducted in May 1992.
--Susan Watts, "China Runs New Nuclear Test," The Independent, 30 September 1992, p. 13, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; "China’s Nuclear Tests: Dates, Yields, Types, Methods, and Comments," Resources on China, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, June 1998, from CNS website, http://cns.miis.edu/research/china/coxrep/testlist.htm.

5 October 1992
U.S. strongly opposes a plan, announced by Tehran, to buy a 300-megawatt power plant from China, similar to one that the Chinese are currently building in Pakistan. The Bush administration declares China’s assistance to Iran "imprudent," expressing its view that Iran’s nuclear program poses a threat to international security.
--"Iran Plans Purchase of Chinese Reactor," FT Energy Newsletters, 5 October 1992, p. 22, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

14 October 1992
China plans to begin construction on its second nuclear power plant in Guangdong Province, near Hong Kong, by the year 1995. The 4 million kilowatt reactor at Dongping will be built by Framatome SA of France and General Electric Co. of Britain. Safety concerns have been raised by local residents because Guangdong province is a high-risk area for earthquakes and typhoons.
--P.T. Bangsberg, "China to Build Nuclear Plant on Southern Guangdong Site," Journal of Commerce, 14 October 1992, p. 7B, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

18 October 1992
Bush administration officials request that Russia stop selling advanced weapons and equipment that can be used for uranium enrichment to China. One Pentagon official expresses concern, saying, "Re-export is a big problem. You don’t know what the Chinese will do with the stuff once they get the high-tech capabilities." So far, the U.S. has been unsuccessful in curbing Russian military sales since the break-up of the Soviet Union last year.
--Michael Gordon, "Moscow is Selling Weapons to China, U.S. Officials Say," The New York Times, 18 October 1992, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

21 October 1992
In a speech to the first committee of the U.N., Chinese Ambassador Hou Zhitong outlines a proposal to speed up international nonproliferation efforts. The proposal consists of an appeal to all nuclear weapons states to commit not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, especially against non-nuclear weapons states, to support nuclear weapons free zones, to withdraw nuclear arms deployed in foreign territories, and to keep weapons of all kinds out of outer space. Hou also calls for "hegemonic" states not to use nonproliferation as justification to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states.
--"China Puts Forward Proposal for Nuke Disarmament," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 21 October 1992, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

8 December 1992
Tan Aixing, senior official of the Ministry of Energy, announces China’s plans to develop a nuclear reactor suitable for export to developing countries. "The reactor would be based on a simpler design and greater safety provisions," Tan explains. "You simply push a button, as in the case of the poor man’s camera which can be operated even by a foolish person." Chinese officials hope to begin construction on the 600-megawatt reactor by 1995. Plans for U.S.’s Westinghouse to assist in the developing of the reactor are in the "discussion phase."
--Shahid-ur-Rehman Khan, "Official Says China Will Develop 600-MW Reactor for Third World," Nucleonics Week, 17 December 1992, p. 2, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

26 December 1992
Pakistan begins excavation for a Chinese-supplied 300-megawatt nuclear power plant at Chashma in Punjab, Pakistan.
--Reuters, "Pakistan Builds 2d A-Plant," The New York Times, 27 December 1992, p. 9, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

12 February 1993
A Russian Energy Ministry spokesperson says that Russia plans to supply Iran and China with nuclear reactors.
--"Russia Set to Supply Iran, China with Nuclear Plants," Wall Street Journal, 12 February 1993, p. A10, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

18 February 1993
Reza Amrollahi, head of Iran’s Organization for Atomic Energy, tells Christian Science Monitor that the United States did not block the sale of Chinese nuclear technology to Iran. Amrollahi says that Iran has already signed a contract with China for the purchase of a research nuclear reactor.
--Claude van England, "Iran Defends its Pursuit of Nuclear Technology," Christian Science Monitor, 18 February 1993, p. 7, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

24 February 1993
CIA Director James Woolsey testifies before Congress that China continues to be a "major proliferation concern" to the United States. Woolsey is particularly concerned with Chinese nuclear assistance to Pakistan and to Middle Eastern countries with nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Such activity would violate the terms of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, to which China acceded in March 2002.
--Leonard Spector, "China’s Nuclear Factor," Christian Science Monitor, June 11, 1993, p. 18, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Lora Lumpe, "Woolsey on Proliferation," Arms Sales Monitor, Iss. 19, March 2003, in Federation of American Scientists website, www.fas.org.

4 March 1993
In a statement to the UN Conference on Disarmament, Chinese Disarmament Ambassador Hou Zhitong praises START 1 & 2 as "steps in the right direction" and expresses the hope that "these treaties can be put into full implementation at an early date in order to reduce the danger of nuclear war." However, Hou maintains that the United States and the Soviet Union bear a greater responsibility to cut their nuclear arsenals past the START 1 & 2 goals, because "these two countries will still possess over 90 per cent of the total nuclear arsenals of the world, sufficient to destroy the globe several times over." Hou also calls for a moratorium on all WMD-related activities in outer space.
--Chinese plenary statement to the Conference on Disarmament, 4 March 1993, China Profiles- Nuclear Arms Control/Disarmament, Nuclear Threat Initiative, NTI website, http://www.nti.org/db/china; "China Says All Space Weapons Should be Destroyed," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 4 March 1993, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

23 March 1993
Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen announces that China will oppose sanctions in order to get North Korea to cease building nuclear weapons and that China does not wish to involve the UN Security Council. Qian says "We support patient consultations to reach an appropriate solution. If the matter goes before the Security Council that will only complicate things." On the same matter, Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng says, "North Korea is clearly a sovereign nation and it takes patience to solve this problem. If this case is presented to the Security Council, I don’t think it will solve this problem."
--Nicholas Kristof, "China Opposes U.N. Over North Korea," New York Times, 24 March 1993, p. A6, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Sheila Tefft, "China’s Premier Urges UN to Go Slow on North Korea," Christian Science Monitor, 1 April 1993, p. 6, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

18 April 1993
The Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet releases a report detailing Chinese nuclear-weapons research on the Tibetan plateau. The report accuses the Northwest Nuclear Weapons Research and Design Academy, also known as the Ninth Academy, of disposing nuclear waste in a ‘roughshod and haphazard manner’ in Qinghai Province. The report also attributes the death of 50 Tibetans to poisonous waste released into the water system from uranium mining in Gansu Province.
--Sheryl WuDunn, "Nuclear Dump Site Reported in Tibet," New York Times, 19 April 1993, p. A13, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

20 April 1993
Xinhua News Agency announces that China and Russia will cooperate on peaceful nuclear research. According to the report, 10 Russian scientists will visit China and assist with the development of a more efficient civilian nuclear reactor, called a "hybrid fusion-fission reactor." The assistance marks the first joint cooperation between Russian and Chinese nuclear scientists since the Soviet Union pulled its support from China’s nuclear program under Mao Zedong in 1960.
--"World Wire: Postscripts," Wall Street Journal, 20 April 1993, p. A16, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Uli Schmetzer, "Russia, China Plan Joint Nuclear Research," Journal of Commerce, 23 April 1993, p. 7b, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

11 May 1993
Iranian dissident Mohammad Mohaddessin reports to Western intelligence agencies that Chinese and Russian experts are training Iranian nuclear scientists in Tehran. Mohaddessin is a member of the People’s Mojahedin of Iran, an opposition group that closely follows Iran’s nuclear efforts. Mohaddessin also claims that China has sold Iran calutrons, previously used by Iraq to refine highly-enriched uranium for use in nuclear weapons.
--John Fialka, "Iran Nuclear Power Effort Hides Drive for Weapons, Some US Analysts Say," Wall Street Journal, 11 May 1993, p. A14, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

29 May 1993
Responding to President Clinton’s 27 May announcement that the renewal of China’s MFN trading status in 1994 would be contingent upon improvements in human rights, trade practices, and WMD nonproliferation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry says, "The Chinese Government hereby expresses its strong opposition to the U.S. move and lodges a protest with the U.S. Government." The MFA spokesperson cautions the U.S. against insisting on its way, saying Sino-U.S. relations would suffer as a result, though specific actions that China would take if MFN status was not renewed are not mentioned.
--Sheryl WuDunn, "China Denounces Terms of Clinton’s Trade Deal," New York Times, 30 May 1993, p. 12, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

3 July 1993
In a move to persuade China to cancel suspected plans for future nuclear tests, President Clinton announces a 15-month moratorium on U.S. nuclear testing. Via radio address, Clinton stresses the importance of halting nuclear testing, but conditionally states, "If, however, this moratorium is broken by another nation, I will direct the Department of Energy to prepare to conduct additional tests while seeking approval to do so from Congress." Russia and Great Britain also agree to halt testing.
--Eric Schmitt, "Clinton Asks China to Halt Atom Test," New York Times, 18 September 1993, p. 3, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

4 July 1993
Chinese officials mark "the dawn of a new era of commercial and technical cooperation" with Iran by signing an agreement to build a 300-megawatt nuclear power plant near Teheran, according to Iran’s official press agency, IRNA. Iran first sought the deal from other countries, such as Germany, Argentina, and Brazil, but was turned down as a result of US pressure. Iran will not pay China in hard currency, but in oil, steel, and other Iranian-made products.
--"China in Pact to Help Iran Build A-Plant," New York Times, 7 July 1993, p. A6, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

25 July 1993
At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference in Singapore, Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen tells U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher that China is willing to discuss a proposal by President Clinton to suspend all nuclear testing.
--Steven Holmes, "China Denies Violating Pact By Selling Arms to Pakistan," New York Times, 26 July 1993, p. A2, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

18 August 1993
China publishes its first regulations on managing a nuclear power plant accident, earning IAEA praise. The new regulations give the military control of the comprehensive action plan to prevent, control, and mitigate the damage from a nuclear disaster. IAEA officials have not evaluated the new Chinese regulations, however IAEA co-ordinator Dr Bernard Weiss calls the move a "positive development" for China, and especially for Hong Kong, which would be directly affected by a nearby Chinese nuclear accident.
--"Rules On Nuclear Accidents," Wall Street Journal, 19 August 1993, p. A6, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Mathew Loh and Chris Yeung, "Praise for Nuclear Safety Plan," South China Morning Post, 19 August 1993, p. 5, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

2 September 1993
China begins trial operations at the Daya Bay nuclear power plant near Hong Kong. The plant is one of China’s largest and most important, since it helps power the burgeoning industrial region of the Pearl River Delta.
--"Postscripts," Wall Street Journal, 2 September 1993, p. A6, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

16 September 1993
A U.S. administration official says that intelligence information suggests that China is planning a nuclear test explosion. According to the source, satellite information and seismic monitors indicate that China could be preparing for a test at its Lop Nur nuclear test site in Xinjiang Province.
--AP, "U.S. Official Says China May Set off Nuclear Test," New York Times, 17 September 1993, p. A3, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

17-18 September 1993
Reconnaissance satellite photography shows Chinese engineers lowering a weapon into a shaft at the Lop Nur nuclear weapons test site. In response, President Clinton urges China not to go forward with a nuclear test, saying, "There is no reasonable threat to China from any other nuclear power. Every other nuclear power has forsworn the use of testing." The Chinese Foreign Ministry responds to President Clinton’s remarks by saying that China maintains a "very restrained attitude" toward nuclear testing, however, does not deny plans for a nuclear test.
--Eric Schmitt, "Clinton Asks China to Halt Atom Test," New York Times, 18 September 1993, p. 3, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; "China: Nuke Test ‘Very Restrained’," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 19 September 1993, p. A5, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

28 September 1993
China plans build a nuclear reactor at Daqing, located 120 miles northwest of Beijing. The reactor is the country’s largest effort to date that provides nuclear power for urban areas.
--"China to Build a Reactor," Wall Street Journal, 28 September 1993, p. A14, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

30 September 1993
U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen at the United Nations, but is unable to win assurances that China will not proceed with a nuclear test at Lop Nur.
--Elaine Sciolino, "U.S. Warns Beijing As Problem Grows," New York Times, 1 October, 1993, p. A10, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

3 October 1993 The Washington Post publishes an article expressing concern that China’s nuclear weapons could be used as bargaining chips between Chinese provincial leaders in the event of a power struggle to succeed Deng Xiaoping. The article cites the possibility that China’s more independent provinces, such as Guangdong, could seek autonomy and control over nuclear weapons infrastructure. Nuclear power plants are estimated to be dispersed throughout 11 of China’s 27 provinces.
--Leonard Spector and Evan Medeiros, "Question Mark; If China Breaks Up, Who Controls the Nuclear Weapons?" Washington Post, 3 October 1993, p. C1, in Proquest, http://proquest.umi.com.

5 October 1993
China conducts its 39th nuclear test. The underground explosion had a yield around 80-90 kilotons. The New China News Agency issues a statement, saying, "It is entirely for the purpose of self-defense that China develops and possesses a small number of nuclear weapons." This is the first nuclear test conducted by any country in a year and threatens President Clinton’s 3 July 1993 moratorium on U.S. nuclear tests. Under the moratorium, Clinton reserved the right to resume U.S. tests if any other country performed a nuclear test. Just hours after China’s test, President Clinton orders the Energy Department to prepare for a possible resumption of nuclear tests.
--Robert Burns, "Chinese Nuclear Blast Spurs U.S. Test Plans," Philadelphia Inquirer, 6 October 1993, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Steven Holmes, "World Moratorium on Nuclear Test is Broken by China," New York Times, 6 October 1993, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

13 October 1993
The International Institute for Strategic Studies in London reports that China has more than 100 ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, nearly twice as many as was previously estimated. The Institute’s report says this does not reflect an expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal, but rather the secrecy in which its original forces were shrouded.
--David White, "China missile total is revised upwards," Financial Times, 13 October 1993, p. 5, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

14 October 1993
The Clinton administration expresses worry over Chinese recruitment of Russian WMD scientists and also transfers of nuclear and ballistic missile technology from the former Soviet Union to China. U.S. officials predict that, with Russian assistance, the Chinese military could soon have the ability to reach U.S. soil with a WMD attack.
--John Fialka, "US Fears China’s Success in Skimming Cream of Weapons Experts From Russia," Wall Street Journal, 14 October 1993, p. A12, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

17 November 1993
U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher informs China’s Foreign Minister Qian Qichen that the U.S. Commerce Department will lift the ban on exports of certain WMD dual-use technology and components for nuclear power plants. Specifically, the Clinton administration will allow Cray Research Inc. to sell an $8 million supercomputer (with a processing speed of 958 million calculations per second) to China, to be used for weather prediction by China’s State Meteorological Administration. Critics in the Departments of Defense and Energy raise concerns that the supercomputer will be diverted to nuclear-weapons uses.
--Elaine Sciolino, "U.S. Will Allow Computer Sale to Court China," New York Times, 19 November 1993, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

18 November 1993
Besides the sales of supercomputers to China, the U.S. also approved sales of power turbines for nuclear generators, and in discussion are sales of seven satellites. The satellites were previously withheld because of Chinese sales of M-11 missile components to Pakistan. Sales and future access to U.S. market hinge upon improvements in China’s human rights record.
--Barry Schweid, "Supercomputer, Nuclear Reactor Turbines Cleared For Bejing," Associated Press Worldstream, 19 November 1993, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

23 November 1993
The Chinese Xinhua News Agency reports that China has achieved "satisfactory results" for its first controlled thermo-nuclear fusion. A spokesperson states, "This has prepared China to catch up with countries most developed in the nuclear sciences in searching for the source of energy after the 21st century."
--Terri Theiss, "Events," Christian Science Monitor, 24 November 1993, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

23 December 1993
A Chinese government spokesperson calls for five-party talks aimed at creating treaties to establish certain nuclear norms among the nuclear powers, saying, "We strongly call upon all the nuclear-weapon states to undertake the same commitment as China and to conduct parallel negotiations aimed at early conclusion of an international convention on unconditional non-first-use of nuclear weapons and non-use and non-threat-of-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states and nuclear-free zones."
--Li Daoyu, "Foreign Policy and Arms Control: The View From China," Arms Control Today, December 1993, p. 9.

26 December 1993
During a meeting with UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali in Beijing, Prime Minister Li Peng states that China is opposed to any pressure or sanctions placed on North Korea over its refusal to admit international inspectors to its nuclear facilities. "China favors a proper settlement of the issue through dialogues and consultations, instead of imposing pressure and sanctions." Peng also calls for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, implicitly suggesting that U.S. nuclear weapons in South Korea are complicating the issue.
--"China Says It Opposes Steps Against North Korea," New York Times, 27 December 1993, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

January 1994
The Chinese government publishes a draft treaty on the no-first-use (NFU) of nuclear weapons and invites the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France to begin negotiations in Beijing. On the NFU treaty, head of the Chinese delegation to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva Hou Zhitou says, "It is the view of the Chinese government that under the present international situation, the condition is ripe for the five nuclear weapon states to negotiate and conclude such an international treaty."
--White Paper, "China: Arms Control And Disarmament," Information Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, November 1995, Beijing; "China Reiterates Stand on Nuclear Disarmament," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 24 March 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

7 February 1994
Chinese Premier Li Peng opens the nuclear power plant at Daya Bay in Shenzhen which currently has the first of two 900 megawatt reactors operational at the site. The second reactor is expected to be operational by the middle of 1994.
--Peter Nordahl, "Events," Christian Science Monitor, 7 February 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

23 February 1994
Sig Hecker, director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, holds a first-of-its-kind meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico with six high-level officials from China’s nuclear weapons program. Among the issues being discussed are the future of nuclear testing and the security of Chinese nuclear bombs. The Chinese express their desire to obtain permissive access links (PALs) from the US as a means to secure their bombs from unauthorized use in the event of a government coup or citizen uprising.
--Steve Coll, David B. Ottaway, "Will the United States, Russia and China be Nuclear Partners or Rivals in the 21st Century?; Secret Visits Helped Define 3 Powers’ Ties" Washington Post April 11, 1995, pA1 in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

24 February 1994
The Chinese government announces that it will build four nuclear reactors in Guangdong Province in the next two years.
--"Beijing Picks Nuclear Sites," Wall Street Journal, 24 February 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

30 March 1994
The Clinton administration drops export controls on almost all telecommunications and computer equipment to China, Russia and most of the NIS, but maintains a ban on dual-use WMD technology, such as supercomputers. The plan will go into effect on 1 April 1994. Industry representatives project the plan will lead to increased sales of at least $150 billion over the next decade.
--Thomas Friedman, "U.S. Ending Curbs On High-Tech Gear to Cold War Foes," New York Times, 31 March 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

27 April 1994
A senior official in the Clinton administration reports that China is preparing for another nuclear test at its Lop Nur testing ground in Xinjiang Province.
--AP, "Chinese A-Test Expected," New York Times, 28 April 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

27 April 1994
During a visit to Almaty, Kazakhstan, Chinese Prime Minster Li Peng states that China hopes to end underground nuclear testing within two years. "Our government is actively participating in negotiations to abolish nuclear testing by 1996," says Li.
--Patrick Tyler, "China Ready for a New Hydrogen Bomb Test," New York Times, 26 May 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

9 June 1994
A Clinton administration official reports that China will likely conduct a nuclear test within days. According to the official, a nuclear device has already been lowered into a shaft at the Lop Nur testing site in Xinjiang Province.
--"China’s Nuclear Test," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9 June 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

10 June 1994
China explodes a hydrogen bomb at its Lop Nur testing site. The 40-50 kiloton blast, conducted underground, is China’s 40th overall nuclear test. In response to widespread criticism of the test, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson reassures the international community that China is still "actively taking part in negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty and supports the conclusion of such a treaty no later than 1996 after negotiations."
--Patrick Tyler, "China Explodes H-Bomb in Underground Test," New York Times, 11 June 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

10 June 1994
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issues a statement calling for the "other nuclear-weapon States to give up their policy of nuclear deterrence and commit themselves explicitly to the complete prohibition and total destruction of nuclear weapons."
--"Statement of the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of The People’s Republic of China," 10 June 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

5 August 1994
In an interview with The New York Times, Mohammed A. al-Khilewi, formerly the second ranking official for the Saudi Mission to the United Nations, announces that Saudi Arabia had attempted to purchase a nuclear research reactor from China in 1989. According to a letter dated 10 January 1994, the China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation agreed to sell a miniature neutron source reactor to Saudi Arabia, providing Prince Abdel Rahman with 5% of the profits from the sale.
--Paul Lewis, "Defector Says Saudis Sought Nuclear Arms," New York Times, 7 August 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

4 September 1994
Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Russian President Boris Yeltsin sign a joint statement agreeing to "consistently fulfill their obligations not to target strategic nuclear weapons against the other and not to use force against the other, in particular, not to be the first to use nuclear weapons against the other." Additionally, the accord legally settles almost all border disputes along 2,700 mile border between the two countries.
--"Statements and Agreements; Sino-Russian Joint Statement," Xinhua General Overseas News Agency via BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 5 September 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

20-21 September 1994
China joins 39 other nations in signing the International Convention on Nuclear Safety. Under the Convention, nations must shut down nuclear power plants if they are unable to implement necessary safety measures.
--Reuters, "40 Nations Agree to Shut Down Nuclear Plant Deemed Unsafe," New York Times, 22 September 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

4 October 1994
Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and US Secretary of State Warren Christopher sign the "Joint United States-People’s Republic of China Statement On Stopping Production Of Fissile Materials For Nuclear Weapons," in which both countries agree to "work together to promote the earliest possible achievement of a multilateral, non-discriminatory, internationally and effectively verifiable convention banning the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices." Chinese opposition to a cut-off is reportedly reduced in part by U.S. promises of advanced military technology transfers. China agrees to participate in the cut-off negotiations to take place at the Conference on Disarmament.
--Jon B. Wolfsthal, "US, China Reach New Accords on MTCR, Fissile Cutoff Issues," Arms Control Today, November 1994, p. 28; Banning N. Garrett and Bonnie S. Glaser, "Chinese Perspectives On Nuclear Arms Control," International Security, Winter 1995/96, p. 47; Robert Shuey and Shirley A. Kan, "Chinese Missile And Nuclear Proliferation: Issues For Congress," CRS Issue Brief, 16 November 1995, p. 12; Wenguang Shao, "WMD Proliferation in Asia: A Chinese Perspective"; in Lewis and Johnson, eds., Weapons of Mass Destruction: New Perspectives on Counterproliferation, April 1995, p. 138; J. Mohan Malik, "China's Policy Towards Nuclear Arms Control in the Post-Cold War Era," Contemporary Security Policy, August 1995, p. 28.

7 October 1994
China performs its 41st nuclear test. The underground explosion has a yield estimated between 40 and 50 kilotons. Speaking out against the test, U.S. State Department spokesperson Michael McCurry says, "We continue to urge China to consider the changed circumstances of global security affecting the role of nuclear weapons."
--Patrick Tyler, "Chinese Test Atomic Bomb Underground," New York Times, 8 October 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

18 October 1994
In an address at the National Defense University in Beijing, Defense Secretary William Perry calls upon greater transparency in Chinese defense spending and strategic planning. He also calls upon China to do more to restrain its sales of missile and nuclear technology, warning that an arms race between India and Pakistan could lead to catastrophic war. "With so much at stake, it is essential that countries with influence in South Asia try to stop the potential arms race before it gathers momentum." Perry also offers to provide computers to China to verify the reliability of China’s nuclear weapons if China agrees to halt nuclear testing. Perry is the first Defense Secretary to visit China since 1988.
--Michael Gordon, "U.S. to China: Be More Open on Arms Plan," New York Times, 19 October 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Sheila Tefft, "US Defense Chief Forges Close Ties to China’s Veiled Military," Christian Science Monitor, 19 October 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Patrick Tyler, "Pentagon Aide on Secret Visit to Tour China," New York Times, 9 November 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

30 October - 3 November 1994
Chinese Premier Li Peng visits South Korea. He is expected to sign an agreement allowing South Korea to bid for nuclear-power construction projects in China.
--Sheila Tefft, "Chinese Leader Aims to Console Seoul on N. Korea-US Pact," Christian Science Monitor, 31 October 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

7 November 1994
During a visit to Beijing, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien signs a nuclear-cooperation agreement with Chinese Prime Minster Li Peng, thereby facilitating the sale of Canadian Candu nuclear reactors to China. Responding to past proliferation concerns related to Candu reactors, Robert Nixon, head of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., states, "We are confident that all the necessary safeguards are built into this deal."
--"Canada, China Sign Pact on Nuclear Cooperation," Wall Street Journal, 8 November 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Clyde Farnsworth, "Canada’s Trade Efforts Raise Hackles at Home," New York Times, 25 November 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

11 December 1994
Viktor Slavgorodsky, head of the radiation department at the Ecology and Biological Resources Ministry of Kazakhstan, calls upon China to halt nuclear tests at the Lop Nur testing site in Xinjiang Province. Slavgorodsky claims the tests send dangerous fallout across Kazakh territory.
--Reuters, "China Pressed on A-Tests," New York Times, 12 December 1994, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

15 December 1994
At the 49th Session of the U.N. General Assembly, Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen presents China’s nuclear disarmament proposal, which includes negotiations to set up a convention on unconditional no-first-use declarations, security assurances toward non-nuclear-weapon states and Nuclear Weapons Free Zones, a CTBT no later than 1996, implementation of current nuclear disarmament treaties, further reductions in existing nuclear arsenals, a fissile material cut-off treaty, and a convention prohibiting nuclear weapons similar to the CWC and BWC.
--"China: Arms Control And Disarmament," Information Office of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China, November 1995, Beijing Review, 27 November - 3 December 1995, pp. 22-23.

	Updated September 2007