13 January 1997
Despite announcing to U.S. officials that China would discontinue using HEU in its nuclear power plant, China's National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) has begun constructing an HEU reprocessing plant in the mid-northern city of Lanzhou. China currently operates six HEU-fueled reactors, the largest of which uses U-235 enriched to 93%, though officials had announced plans to convert the plant to LEU fuels. Washington officials have urged the CNNC to discontinue construction of the plant.
--Mark Hibbs, "Chinese Separation Plant to Reprocess Spent HEU Fuel," Nuclear Fuel, 13 January 1997, p. 3, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

17 January 1997
According to officials from Russia's Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom), a Russian supplied uranium enrichment plant in the Chinese city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province has begun enriching U-235 up to 4%. The plant uses centrifuges and the gaseous diffusion method to supply LEU to China's 300-megawatt Qinshan power station near Shanghai. Russia began constructing the enrichment plant in 1994 and expects to supply China with two more units by 1998 and 2000.

28 March 1997
Japanese Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda announces that grant aid to China, which had been cancelled in 1995 after a Chinese nuclear test, will be resumed. The first of the renewed loans will be in the amount of ¥1.7 billion (approx. $13.7 million) to medical facilities for women and children in Nanjing.
--William Dawkins, "Japan Resumes Official Grant Aid to China," Financial Times, 29 March 1997, p. 3, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

9 April 1997
In the lead up to the 2000 NPT Review Conference, China joins the other four nuclear powers in issuing a statement committing to increase efforts on nuclear disarmament. After renewing the NPT indefinitely in 2005, the five nuclear powers have pledged to further reduce their nuclear arsenals, as stipulated in Article VI of the NPT. The joint statement also expresses willingness to continuing negotiating a ban on the production of fissile materials and praises last year's successful negotiation of the CTBT as well as recently established nuclear-weapons-free zones in the South Pacific and Asia.
--"China Joins Nuclear Disarmament Pledge," Courier Mail, 10 April 1997, p. 18, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10 April 1997
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation Robert J. Einhorn testifies to the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on the necessity of engaging China in international nonproliferation efforts. "We need to engage China on nonproliferation both because of that issue's fundamental importance to U.S. national security and because of China's increasingly indispensable role in international efforts to curb proliferation. China's standing as a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council, a nuclear weapons state, an influential player on the world stage, and a producer of a wide range of arms and sensitive technologies means that its willingness to play a positive role may often make the crucial difference between success and failure -- whether in negotiating international arms control and nonproliferation agreements, dealing with difficult regional proliferation challenges, or constraining the transfer of potentially destabilizing goods and technologies," says Einhorn.
--"Prepared Testimony of Robert J. Einhorn, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation Before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services Subcommittee, Engaging China on Nonproliferation," Federal News Service, 10 April 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

16 April 1997
In the face of criticism for nuclear cooperation with Iran, Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen describes the history of good relations between the two countries. Qian tells Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Aladin Burujardi that, "China and Iran have a long tradition of friendship, and Beijing is prepared to work alongside Teheran in order to take the bilateral relationship forward on an basis of equality."
--"Chinese Foreign Minister Mentions 'Tradition of Friendship' With Iran," Globes [online], 16 April 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

23 April 1997
In a statement to the UN Disarmament Commission, Chinese Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs Sha Zukang highlights many "opportunities and challenges in the field of international arms control and disarmament." Among the "destabilizing and uncertain elements" facing the international nonproliferation regime, Sha criticizes the leaders of the former "eastern and western blocs" for adhering to "cold war thinking."
--"China Ambassador on Arms Control, Disarmament," Xinhua General Overseas News Agency, 23 April 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

21 May 1997
Officials from the Russian-Chinese Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues sign a contract guaranteeing Russian assistance in building a nuclear power plant in China's southeast Jiangsu province. The deal is for two VVER-100 reactors to be installed, though details on the schedule and the cost of the project have not yet been released.
--"Russia Clinches Chinese Nuclear Power Station Contract," Interfax News Agency via BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 30 May 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

23 May 1997
Cao Yicheng, Director of China's Engineering Company for Nuclear Energy, and Boubeker Benbouzid, Algerian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, sign a deal to accelerate nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries. The agreement guarantees that China will provide assistance to Algeria in the construction of a nuclear energy research center. Specifically, China will assist in planning facilities for the safe handling of isotopes, radiation, and waste treatment.
--"China, Algeria Sign Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement," Xinhua General Overseas News Agency via BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 23 May 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 May 1997
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson says that his country will accept 60,000 barrels of nuclear waste from Taiwan that had originally been earmarked for North Korea in a 78 million dollar deal. "As Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, the mainland is willing to provide assistance to Taiwan concerning the disposal of its nuclear waste," says the unnamed official. The IAEA had been pressuring China to accept the shipment of low-grade waste as a means of diverting it from North Korea where it could potentially be reprocessed for nuclear weapons purposes.
--"China Willing to Take Taiwan Nuclear Waste Bound for North Korea," Agence France Presse, 28 May 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

29 May 1997
Li Donghui, Deputy Director-General of China's National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), tells media sources that China is currently seeking to localize the production, operation, and maintenance of nuclear power facilities, but will rely on any foreign country willing to supply reliable and competitive nuclear equipment until self-sufficiency can be achieved. China currently imports the majority of its nuclear technology from France, Russia, and Canada, but is considering offers from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.
--"China Seeks Partners to Develop Nuclear Power," Xinhua General Overseas News Agency via BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 29 May 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

2 June 1997
China expresses interest in joining the Zangger Committee, a nuclear export control organization. After attending a Zangger Committee meeting last month as an observer, Western officials express hope that China will accept the safeguards agreements necessary for membership and eventually conform to the stricter guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). According to one Western diplomat, "We are seeing a multi-step process, where China will join Zangger first, then NSG later." Clinton administration officials have cited China's membership in both of these organizations as an important objective of U.S. foreign policy.
--Mark Hibbs, "Chine Attends Zangger Meeting, Might Join Committee After Talks," Nuclear Fuel, 2 June 1997, p. 8, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 June 1997
China continues nuclear cooperation with Pakistan despite NSG guidelines that prohibit trading with countries whose nuclear facilities are not subjected to full-scope IAEA safeguards. China is not a member of the Nuclear Supplier's Group but has expressed interest in joining. The Zangger Committee, a similar organization in which China wishes to participate, will change its safeguards requirements to match those of the NSG by the year 2000. Continuing trade with non-NPT member Pakistan will bar China from entry into both organizations once the guidelines are harmonized. According to one official involved in meetings with China and the IAEA, "China has three years to accept full-scope IAEA safeguards" if it hopes to continue civilian nuclear trade with the United States. "China has yet to make a choice between trade with the U.S. and trade with Pakistan," says another negotiator.
--Mark Hibbs, "Chinese Industry Resists Nuclear Export Controls," Nucleonics Week, 5 June 1997, p. 3, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 June 1997
The Xinan Nuclear Industrial Institute of Physics in China's southwestern Sichuan Province has recently completed construction on a nuclear fusion research facility. According to the China National Nuclear Corporation, after initial tests, the laboratory is operating on par with other facilities worldwide in controlling nuclear fusion for experimental purposes.
--Yang Quanxin, "Nuclear Fusion Laboratory Established in Sichuan," Xinhua General Overseas News Agency via BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 11 June 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 June 1997
Stephen D. Bryen argues before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs against the sale of supercomputers to China. Bryen maintains that 46 U.S. supercomputers previously sold to China are being used in that country's nuclear weapons program, specifically for the miniaturization of warheads to fit onto cruise missiles and the improvement of delivery systems. Bryen calls for the sale of supercomputers to be more strictly controlled by the nuclear export control regime.
--"Prepared Testimony of Dr. Stephen D. Bryen Before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation and Federal Service," Federal News Service, 11 June 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

27 June 1997
During a meeting in Beijing, Russian Atomic Energy Minister Viktor Mikhaylov signs an agreement pledging to assist China in the conversion of nuclear bomb-making facilities to civilian nuclear power plants. On the same visit, the Russian delegation also reaffirms its commitment to assist in the building of two nuclear power reactors in China's southeastern Jiangsu Province.
--"Protocol signed on Russian cooperation with China on nuclear power stations," Interfax News Agency via BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 28 June 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 July 1997
Chinese Foreign Ministry official Tang Guoqiang denies allegations that China is misusing U.S. supercomputers meant for civilian purposes in its nuclear weapons program. "The Chinese side has bought through normal trade channels some large computers from the U.S. for the use in meteorological forecasting, earthquake disaster prevention and in other scientific and research areas," says Tang. He claims that the computers are being used for "completely normal business activity" and insists that no export control laws have been broken.
--"China Denies Diverting Computers to Military Use," Japan Economic Newswire, 3 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 July 1997
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tang Guoqiang criticizes the U.S. for conducting sub-critical plutonium tests at the Nevada testing ground, alleging that the tests might constitute a violation of the CTBT, signed on 24 September 1996. U.S. officials maintain that the tests, conducted 300 meters underground without generating a nuclear fission chain reaction, are permitted by the guidelines of the treaty and are necessary for the maintenance of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Tang warns that Beijing is keeping a close eye on the U.S.'s nuclear testing program.
--"China Calls on U.S. to End Nuke Tests," United Press International, 3 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China Calls on U.S. to Abide by CTBT on Nuke Tests," Japan Economic Newswire, 3 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

26 July 1997
Recently declassified U.S. government documents reveal that Washington had considered military action against China in the 1960s to stop it from developing and testing the bomb. "It is necessary to face clearly the fact that China will, barring interference, have in a few short years weapons which can destroy much of the United States," says a 1964 Department of Defense report, and, "It will be necessary to think in terms of a possible 100 million deaths whenever a serious conflict with China threatens." The documents expose several military strategies devised, but never carried out, by the Kennedy Administration for disabling China's nuclear facilities.
--Andrew Higgins, "US 'Planned to Bomb China'," Guardian, 26 July 1997, p. 16, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 July 1997
The Lop Nur Nuclear Weapons Testing Facility in Xinjiang Province has been opened up to Chinese grade school students to teach them about China's nuclear program and bolster national pride. The once highly restrictive testing ground – where China conducted its first nuclear test on 16 October 1964 and its last test one year ago on 29 July 1996 – was visited by 40 grade school students for one week. The students attended classes on Chinese defense policy and patriotism.
--"China Turns Bomb Range Into Classroom," United Press International, 28 July 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1 August 1997
The Chinese State Council passes its first ever regulations regarding the export of nuclear technologies. The law is made up of 22 clauses and has a control list of sensitive nuclear technologies. Though details have not been made public, the regulations make reference to IAEA safeguards as a necessary precondition for nuclear cooperation with foreign nuclear facilities.
--"China Adopts Controls on Nuclear Exports," Agence France Presse, 1 August 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

25 August 1997
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that Chinese Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Trade Li Lan Chin promised him during a meeting in Beijing that China will not assist Iran in constructing a nuclear power plant. Of the meeting, Netanyahu says, "I insisted that it was dangerous for Iran to be armed with atomic weapons and, of course, ballistic missiles," and "I asked that China exert its influence to block these deals." According to Netanyahu, Li has agreed to do so.
--Jay Bushinsky, "China: No Nuclear Aid to Iran. PM Arrives in Japan to Shore Up Trade," Jerusalem Post, 25 August 1997, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

29 August 1997
In one of its first ever high-tech exports, China sells an advanced computer, called a "distributed control system," to Pakistan for use in its Chinese-constructed Chashma nuclear power plant. The U.S. has maintained that Chinese nuclear cooperation with Pakistan is aiding in the South Asian country's nuclear weapons program, but China insists that its transactions with Pakistan are safeguarded by the IAEA.
--"China Exports Nuclear Plant System," Generation Week, 29 August 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 September 1997
Negotiations between Beijing and Washington officials on possible sales of U.S. nuclear reactor technology to China reveal details about China's first export control law, issued on 1 August. The law specifies that all Chinese entities wishing to export nuclear technology must first obtain a license from the State Council, China's highest legislative body. The law states: "The state will carry out strict management and control of nuclear exports and will strictly fulfill its international obligation not to spread nuclear weapons." The law forbids Chinese entities from exporting any nuclear-related equipment that it suspects will be used in a nuclear weapons program. It does not define specific punishments for export control lapses, but states that violators will be punished according to Chinese law.
--Scott Hillis, "China Issues Rules for Nuclear Exports," Journal of Commerce, 12 September 1997, p. 12a, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

12 September 1997
China admits that a supercomputer bought from the U.S. with a civilian-use license has been secretly diverted to a military facility. "The computer is now in the process of being returned to the U.S. vendor," says State Department official James Foley. The Sun Microsystems computer was sold in February to the China Scientific Institute in Beijing, a civilian research institution, but was instead delivered to the Changsha Institute of Science and Technology, a national defense facility. Commerce Department official William Reinsch says of the computer's return, "We think that this incident with China shows that the system works...Through the safeguards we have in place today, we detected this diversion. And the Chinese worked with us in resolving the issue."
--David E. Sanger, "China to Return Computer It Had Diverted to Military," New York Times, 12 September 1997, p. 10, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China to Return Diverted U.S. Supercomputer," Japan Economic Newswire, 13 September 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 September 1997
The Shanghai Boiler Factory receives approval from the Chinese State Council to export nuclear technology for a nuclear power plant in Chashma, Pakistan. The sale of two steamers and a stabilizer marks the first occasion for China to export advanced nuclear technology of this kind. Chinese officials maintain that the parts are "crucial for preventing nuclear leakage" in power plants and not meant for the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
--"China to Export Nuclear Power Equipment to Pakistan," Agence France Presse, 20 September 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China Exports Nuclear Power Equipment," Asia Pulse, 22 September 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

8 October 1997
After returning from Beijing, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Proliferation Issues Robert Einhorn says that "substantial progress" has been made in convincing the Chinese to halt nuclear cooperation with Iran, but that "we are not there yet." Another Washington official says of the Chinese, "They've made the decision that they will indeed suspend that cooperation (with Iran). We'll just have to find some way that they can say so publicly (in a statement) and not make Iran too upset." The U.S. hopes to secure a nonproliferation commitment from the Chinese, specifically regarding sensitive trade to Iran and Pakistan, before President Jiang Zemin travels to Washington at the end of the month.
--"Peaceful Nuke Agreement With China Nearer: U.S.," Japan Economic Newswire, 8 October 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10 October 1997
China's Eighth National People's Conference ratifies the 1996 African Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba), which stipulates that nuclear weapons may not be manufactured, acquired, tested, or possessed within the boundaries of Africa. President Jiang Zemin signs the "Instrument of Ratification" on Protocols I and II, but not Protocol III, and submits it to Salim Ahmed Salim, Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity. The document states, "The People's Republic of China enforces the full observance of all enshrined in the aforementioned protocols." All five recognized nuclear weapons states have signed the treaty but only China and France have ratified it. All five must ratify before it can enter into force.
--"China Ratifies Nuclear-Free Africa Treaty," Xinhua General Overseas News Agency via BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 13 October 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

16 October 1997
Chinese Ambassador Li Changhe announces China's official membership in the nuclear export control organization, the Zangger Committee. "The prevention of nuclear proliferation is a long and arduous task that calls for the joint efforts of the international community," says Li at a Zangger Committee meeting in Vienna, and "the Chinese government is ready to make unremitting efforts with other countries for the common development of both nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy."
--"China Reiterates Policies on Control over Nuclear Export," Xinhua General Overseas News Agency, 16 October 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

24 October 1997
In the lead-up to Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit to America, U.S. President Bill Clinton says in a speech at the Voice of America broadcasting station, "China has lived up to its pledge not to assist unsafeguarded nuclear facilities in third countries and it is developing a system of export controls to prevent the transfer or sale of technology for weapons of mass destruction." Clinton is engaged in efforts to convince Congress that China has successfully curbed proliferation in order to open the door for U.S. enterprises to sell civilian nuclear technology to China.
--Mary Dejevsky, "Jiang in America: Nuclear Pact to Set Seal on Chinese Leader's Visit," Independent, 29 October 1997, p. 11, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 October 1997
In a meeting with U.S. President Bill Clinton in Washington, Chinese President Jiang Zemin provides "authoritative, written communications," pledging to end nuclear technology sales to Iran. Hoping to pave the way for trade in peaceful nuclear technology, the two leaders issue a statement saying they "have taken the steps necessary to implement the US-China Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Co-operation concluded in 1985." Before the agreement can take effect, however, U.S. legislators must agree that China is fulfilling the promises that Jiang has made. "The Chinese know very well that if they act in a manner that is inconsistent with their assurances to us, then it's within our rights to terminate nuclear trade," says a Washington official.
--"Jiang Vows to End Nukes Sales to Iran," Courier Mail, 31 October 1997, p. 21, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Mark Hibbs and Michael Knapik, "China Agrees to End Nuclear Trade with Iran When Two Projects Completed," Nuclear Fuel, 3 November 1997, p. 3, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1 November 1997
After last week's summit meeting with Chinese President Jiang Zemin, U.S. President Bill Clinton announces that that US-China Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Co-operation will go into effect. Calling Jiang's pledge to halt nuclear cooperation with Iran "sufficiently explicit and clear," Clinton says, "President Jiang and I agreed that the United States and China share a strong interest in stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction and other sophisticated weaponry in unstable regions and rogue states, notably Iran." Echoing sentiments of those who doubt the veracity of Jiang's promises, U.S. Senator Joseph Bidden says, "President Jiang's public commitments and private assurances must be backed up by clear, unequivocal actions." U.S. companies stand to earn roughly $60 billion in nuclear technology sales to China.
--"Nuclear Equipment Sales to China Set," Generation Week, 7 November 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 November 1997
Not convinced that China has halted nuclear cooperation with Iran and Pakistan, the U.S. House of Representatives extends the deadline for approving the US-China Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Co-operation from 30 to 120 days. Congressman Edward Markey says, "Over the years, China has been the Wal-Mart of weapons of mass destruction for countries like Iran and Pakistan." Representative Gerald Solomon echoes the sentiment, saying, "China's behavior is absolutely unacceptable and this Congress cannot just stand idly by and do nothing." Taking the other side, Representative Lee Hamilton says, "The House will be perceived as demonizing China and China may very well respond in kind. I do not believe it serves America's interests today to paint China as a second evil empire."
--Laura Myers, "House Debates Sanctions Against China," Associated Press, 5 November 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

8 December 1997
Naturalized U.S. citizen from Taiwan, and former research physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Peter Lee admits to leaking classified information to Chinese officials while traveling in China in 1985. Lee specifically provided the Chinese with highly sensitive information about laser technology used to imitate the effects of a nuclear blast. If found guilty, Lee could receive a 15-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
--"Physicist Pleads Guilty to Giving Classified Secrets to China," Agence France Presse, 08 December 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

15 December 1997
South African journalists uncover a secret deal in which the Pelindaba Nuclear Centre in Pretoria sold dismantled nuclear equipment to China. It has been reported that at least 40 Chinese nuclear scientists traveled to South Africa in October to collect equipment for the manufacture of zirconium tubes, necessary for the safe handling and transport of radioactive materials. The equipment sold to China is estimated to be worth U.S. $5 million. Of the sale, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Tang Guoqiang says, "This is purely a normal commercial act with all formalities in place."
--Yuri Pichugin, "Scandal Over Nuc Deal Between China and South Africa Continues," 15 December 1997, TASS, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China Downplays South African Nuclear Deal as 'Normal Commercial Act'" Agence France Presse, 16 December 1997, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

8 January 1998
While in Beijing, Russian Senior Deputy Premier Boris Nemtsov signs a U.S. $3 billion deal to supply China with the equipment necessary to build two VVR-1000, 1 million-kilowatt, light-water reactors. Once completed, the nuclear power station will have the largest energy output in the world, leading media to label the deal the "contract of the century."
--Rossiiskie Vesti, "Boris Nemtsov Signs 'Contract of the Century," What the Papers Say, 9 January 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 January 1998
U.S. Congressman Thad Cochran alleges that more lenient U.S. export control laws concerning supercomputers have given a boost to China's and Russia's nuclear weapons programs. "They [China and Russia] are now improving the capacity of their nuclear weapons progamme and their delivery systems, making them more lethal than they were, because the US changed its export control policy with respect to supercomputers," says Cochran. In his report "Proliferation Primer," Cochran says, "By relaxing dual-use controls, the administration has allowed the US to join the ranks of the proliferators."
--Bruce Clark, "Computer Exports 'Aiding China Nuclear Weapons'," Financial Times, 13 January 1998, p. 4, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

24 January 1998
China has begun prospecting for oil in the dessert terrain surrounding the Lop Nur Nuclear Testing Site in Xinjiang Province. The last atmospheric nuclear test was conducted there in 1981, while the last underground test was in 1996. The China Petroleum and Natural Gas Corp. believes the area to be free of harmful radiation. "Our gamma radiation measurements have shown that the radiation here is pretty low, and there is no nuclear contamination of the water or soil," says Director Huo Wenhong. "Our chief challenges here are howling winds, terrible droughts and burning sunlight," Huo adds.
--Geoffrey Murray, "China Seeking Oil at Former Nuclear Test Site," Japan Economic Newswire, 24 January 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1 February 1998
China's National Nuclear Corporation's Yibin Nuclear Fuel Component Plant certifies that it has produced and approved fuel packs for a 300-kilowatt nuclear reactor in Pakistan's Chashma power station. The original contract for the deal was signed in August 1993. Previously, the China National Nuclear Corporation had only produced fuel packs for the domestic market.
--"Nuclear Plant Equipment Ready for Export to Pakistan," Sichuan Ribao via BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 21 February 1998, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

17 February 1998
In response to evidence that U.S.-made supercomputers have been diverted by China and Russia for nuclear weapons purposes, the U.S. tightens its export control laws on computers with capacities of 2,000 to 7,000 million theoretical operations per second. The regulations, issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce, apply to approximately 50 "Computer Tier 3" countries, or those considered capable of using the machines to manufacture nuclear weapons, in particular China, Russia, Israel and India.
--Yvonne Chan, "Tighter Rules for Mainland-Bound Supercomputers," South China Morning Post, 17 February 1998, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

26 February 1998
Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng tells Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that China is considering assisting in the building of "new auxiliary power units" at Chashma Power Station, currently being constructed by China. Nuclear cooperation with non-NPT states, such as Pakistan, whose nuclear facilities are not subject to full-scope IAEA safeguards, will soon be forbidden by the Zangger Committee, an export control organization that China joined on 16 October 1997.
--Shahid-ur-Rehman Khan, "China May Build Another PWR at Pakistan's Chashma Station," Nucleonics Week, 26 February 1998, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 March 1998
Not all U.S. officials are convinced that China is ready for trade in civilian nuclear technology with the United States. One official, speaking under anonymity, says that the Chinese cannot yet be trusted, referring to "very questionable activities going on in terms of renaming of companies and changing telephone numbers." Despite assurances from the Clinton Administration that "China is living up to its commitments" to halt nuclear assistance to Iran and Pakistan, others maintain that Chinese export control violators "are conducting themselves in a stealth-like manner." A Senate report, called the "Proliferation Primer," released in January calls China "the world's foremost proliferator of weapons of mass destruction." Referring to Clinton's attempt to pass a nuclear trade agreement with China through Congress, former government official, and director of the Non-Proliferation Study Center in Washington, D.C., Henry Sokolski says, "What's amazing to me isn't that the Chinese may be cheating again, but that we don't care."
--Jonathan S. Landay, "China Foils the Spread Of Nukes ... Probably," Christian Science Monitor, 13 March 1998, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 March 1998
U.S. intelligence uncovers secret consultations between China's Nuclear Energy Industry Corp. and Iran's Isfahan Nuclear Research Center concerning the sale of a chemical used in the enrichment of weapons-grade uranium. After protests by Washington, China has halted the shipment of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF), which was to exceed one hundred tons. The incident casts doubt on President Clinton's 12 January assertion to Congress that China "is not assisting and will not assist any nonnuclear-weapon state, either directly or indirectly, in acquiring nuclear explosive devices or the material and components for such devices." Henry Sokolski, head of a nonproliferation research center in Washington, D.C., says the incident shows that "the Chinese cannot be held to their word on what was the most disturbing facility we wanted terminated."
-- Barton Gellman and John Pomfret, "U.S. Action Stymied China Sale to Iran; Chemical Involved Can Be Used to Enrich Uranium," Washington Post, 13 March 1998, p. A01, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 March 1998
The U.S.-China civilian nuclear agreement goes into effect. The agreement allows U.S. entities including Westinghouse, General Electric, and ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Systems to sell civilian nuclear technology, such as reactors and uranium enrichment technology, to China. Of the agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Zhu Bangzao says, "We believe the move will be helpful for the advancement of Sino-US economic and trade cooperation," and, "Cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy between China and the United States is in the interests of both nations." The Chinese civilian nuclear industry is expected to import U.S. $50 to $60 billion worth of new nuclear equipment from the United States over the next two decades.
--"China Welcomes US Lifting of Nuclear Ban," Agence France Presse, 23 March 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

21 March 1998
In a letter to President Clinton, U.S. Congressmen object to an agreement that has authorized trade in nuclear technology with China. Saying that China has not fulfilled its promise not to proliferate to countries seeking nuclear weapons, the lawmakers use "the strongest possible terms" to urge Clinton to reverse the trade agreement, which was drafted by the Reagan Administration in 1984 but not approved by Congress until 19 May 1998.
--"Appeal on Nuclear Goods to China," Washington Post, 21 March 1998, p. A06, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

27 March 1998
Taiwan-born U.S. citizen Peter Lee is sentenced to one year in prison, 3,000 hours of community service, and a fine of U.S. $20,000 after pleading guilty to leaking classified information to the Chinese. While visiting China in 1985, Lee shared information concerning the use of lasers to simulate nuclear explosions, technology that Lee had access to as an employee of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Lee was spared the maximum sentence of 10 years in exchange for his guilty plea.
--Simon Beck, "Year's Jail for Giving Beijing Nuclear Secrets," South China Morning Post, 28 March 1998, p. 10, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Physicist Who Gave Secrets to China Gets Year in Halfway House," Associated Press, 27 March 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

27 April 1998
China's representative at the NPT Preparatory Committee meeting in Geneva Sha Zukang proposes a complete ban on nuclear weapons similar to the bans of the BWC and CWC. The proposal contains five points, including a nuclear no-first strike agreement, an agreement not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapons states and nuclear-weapons-free zones, a commitment by the U.S. and Russia to take the lead on nuclear disarmament, a cessation on research and development of missile defense and outer space weapons systems, and a fissile material cutoff treaty.
--"China Puts Forward Proposals on Nuclear Disarmament," Xinhua General Overseas News Agency via BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 27 April 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1 May 1998
U.S. intelligence reports that China has targeted American cities with 13 nuclear-tipped missiles capable of reaching North America. The CIA views the move as an indicator that Beijing considers the United States to be a "major strategic adversary."
--"China Has 13 Nuclear Warheads Aimed at US: Report," Agence France Presse, 01 May 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

12 May 1998
Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Zhu Bangzao condemns India's 11 May nuclear tests. Zhu expresses "serious concern" over New Delhi's nuclear behavior, saying, "India's conducting of nuclear tests runs against international trend and is detrimental to the peace and stability of the South-Asian region." The comment comes one day after the other four declared nuclear powers delivered their responses to the Indian government.
--"China Condemns Threat to Peace," Courier Mail, 13 May 1998, p. 22, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

16 May 1998
Paul Leventhal, President of the Nuclear Control Institute, testifies to Congress that China has likely supplied heavy-water to Pakistan, some of which was diverted for nuclear weapons purposes. "If China knowingly oversupplied Pakistan with heavy water and the heavy water was diverted by Pakistan to produce military plutonium, this, in our view, would constitute indirect assistance by China to Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme – something President Bill Clinton certified to Congress that China had assured him would not happen," says Leventhal. Leventhal further testifies that the heavy-water reactor at Khushab, which has recently been started with China's help, "provides Pakistan with the capacity to produce one or two bombs worth of plutonium a year."
--Simon Beck, "Chinese Heavy Water Linked to Military Plutonium-Processing Plant," South China Morning Post, 16 May 1998, p. 10, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 May 1998
Vice-President of China's National Nuclear Corp. Chen Zhaobo reiterates China's plan to achieve full-production and operational capability in civilian nuclear technology but to cooperate with foreign entities until self-reliance can be achieved. "Although we intend to make such equipment in China, we still hope to co-operate with foreign partners and the co-operation scale will be huge," says Chen. While considering the purchase of nuclear power equipment from French, Russian, and the U.S. firms, Chen says, "How much each company will be involved is up to their performance in market competition."
--"China Country to Accelerate Nuke Power Localization," China Business Information Network, 18 May 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>

20 May 1998
China objects to India citing the China threat as justification for recent nuclear testing. Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen says that the testing has "sabotaged" any positive developments in Sino-Indian relations that have occurred in the past decade. Chinese scholar Yan Xuetong writes in the state-run newspaper China Daily, "India's improper move of attributing its nuclear tests to a potential threat from China has made the international community realise that the new Indian Government is not only irresponsible but immoral."
--"China Accuses India of Sabotaging Trust," Courier Mail, 21 May 1998, p. 16, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 May 1998
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao expresses "deep regret" after Pakistan detonates five nuclear blasts, but does not go so far as to condemn the South Asian ally. Zhu says that China is "deeply worried and uneasy" about the possibility of a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan. "We hereby call on countries concerned in South Asia to exercise the utmost restraint and to immediately abandon all nuclear-weapons development programs to avoid a further worsening of the situation and for the sake of peace and stability in the south Asian region," says Zhu.
--Rod Mickleburgh, "China Expresses 'Deep Regret' Over Five Tests But Beijing Stops Short of Condemning Pakistan's Decision to Go Ahead," Globe and Mail, 29 May 1998, p. A16, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

2 June 1998
China cooperates with other nuclear powers on diffusing the South Asian nuclear crisis. Immediately after India and Pakistan detonate 10 nuclear explosions, Chinese President Jiang Zemin and U.S. President Bill Clinton set up a telephone hotline to discuss ways to denuclearize the Indian sub-continent. The Chinese Foreign Minister also travels to Geneva to meet with his counterparts from France, Russia, the U.K., and the U.S. on how to "press India and Pakistan to sign up to the global regime against nuclear proliferation."
--James Kynge and David Buchan, "Nuclear States in South Asia Initiative," Financial Times, 2 June 1998, p. 4, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

4 June 1998
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan tells a reporter from the Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun that China will not support sanctions against India or Pakistan as a result of recent nuclear testing. "We have no intention of imposing sanctions on India or Pakistan," Tang is reported as saying, and, "As an integrated stance of the Chinese foreign policy, we cannot approve countries' imposing sanctions at any time on any countries. Sanctions would hurt people of the countries in the end."
--"China Vows No Sanctions on India, Pakistan: Foreign Minister," Agence France Presse, 4 June 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

17 June 1998
Beijing announces new nuclear export control laws governing dual-use goods. The regulations stipulate that companies or individuals wishing to engage in the trade of nuclear dual-use technology must first seek permission from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, the China Atomic Energy Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in some cases, the State Council. According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, the new rules state: "All export agents must apply for permits every time they want to export nuclear equipment, nuclear materials or technology listed in the regulations," and, "Permits will only be granted if receivers promise not to use the export items or technologies for bombs. Neither must they be used for nuclear facilities not operating under international safeguards. Further, they must not transfer them to a third party without the Chinese Government's approval." Officials announce their expectation that permits will be issued within 45 days of application.
--Vivien Pik-Kwan Chan, "Nuclear export controls fixed," South China Morning Post, 18 June 1998, p. 8, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

24 June 1998
In a nine-day visit to Beijing, U.S. President Bill Clinton hopes to convince China to divert more than one dozen nuclear-armed missiles that are currently aimed at U.S. cities. Of his proposal, Clinton says, "It does two things: It literally delays significantly the amount of time it takes to arm a missile and aim it, therefore eliminating the possibility of accidental firing," and, "it also really increases, I think, the confidence between the countries that we're moving to reduce the nuclear threat." Beijing has expressed interest in mutually detargeting nuclear-tipped missiles, but has linked the issue to the signing of a nuclear no-first strike agreement. "We believe it is more important for China and the United States to first sign the no-first-use pact," says Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Zhu Bangzao. The Clinton administration has deemed a no-first strike policy "contrary to United States strategic doctrine."
--"Clinton Hopes to Get China to Retarget Nukes Aimed at US," Agence France Presse, 24 June 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China and US Must Sign Accord Against First Use of Nuclear Weapons: Beijing," Agence France Presse, 18 June 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10 July 1998
Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Tang Guoqiang demands that India renounce nuclear weapons. "The most urgent task for India is to immediately abandon its nuclear programme and sign the NPT and CTBT unconditionally as soon as possible," says Tang. China does not demand the same of Pakistan, calling the Pakistani nuclear arsenal a "reaction" to India's nuclear program.
--"China Wants India to Stop N-Arms Programme," The Hindu, 10 July 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 September 1998
China criticizes the U.S. of violating international law by conducting subcritical nuclear tests. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement says, "All countries signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) should not engage in activities that go against the treaty's provisions," and that the United States "should fulfill the treaty's obligations faithfully." U.S. officials assert that the tests, which do not induce nuclear fission, are not contrary to the guidelines of the treaty.
--"China Criticizes USA for Violating Test Ban," Kyodo News Service via BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 28 September 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 October 1998
Undercover British filmmakers reveal unusual rates of birth defects, cancer, and other medical abnormalities surrounding China's nuclear testing site in Xinjiang Province. Using leaked government documents, the researchers cite cancer rates in cities near Lop Nur as 39% higher than those in other Chinese provinces. One local doctor says, "Basically cancer is everywhere in Xinjiang...the increase has been dramatic over the past 20 years or so." Speaking of an unusually high rate of cleft palates among his patients, another doctor says, "Nobody has ever said it but we think the nuclear pollution causes them." Beijing officials have acknowledged the high rate of cancer and birth defects in Xinjiang Province but maintain that it is unrelated to the nuclear tests.
-- Andrew Buncombe, "China's Secret Nuclear Tests Leave Legacy of Cancer and Deformity," Independent, 5 October 1998, p. 11, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

14 October 1998
Before the UN General Assembly, Chinese ambassador for disarmament affairs Li Changhe reiterates his country's position on nuclear disarmament. Li asserts that China has "all along stood for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, and has unilaterally and unconditionally undertaken not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or nuclear-weapons-free zones." Li also calls for a treaty placing a complete ban on nuclear weapons. Reiterating that the U.S. and Russia have the greatest responsibility in initiating disarmament, Li says, "it will be achieved gradually from the larger arsenals to the smaller ones until the ultimate objective of nuclear disarmament is accomplished, freeing mankind from the menace of nuclear war."
--"China on Nuclear Disarmament," Xinhua General Overseas News Agency, 14 October 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

2 December 1998
Beijing announces plans to supply two nuclear reactors to Northern African countries. A 10 megawatt nuclear reactor will be built in the city of Tan Tan in Southern Morocco and a 15 megawatt "Es Sallam" reactor will be built in Ain Ousserrah, Algeria. According to reports, the first of the two facilities will cost U.S. $40 million, be used primarily for the purpose of desalinating sea water, and will be subject to IAEA safeguards.
--"China to Provide First Nuclear Station," Africa Energy & Mining, 2 December 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China, Morocco Sign 40 Million Dollar Nuclear Power Deal," Agence France Presse, 5 December 1998, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

	Updated October 2007