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Updated September 2007
Nuclear Chronology
1990-1991
2 January 1990
Chinese government officials announce that the country’s first big nuclear power plant will be up and running by 1993. In an Anglo-French brokered deal, France will supply the pressurized water reactors, and Britain will supply the turbine and other non-nuclear components.
— Philippe de Corre, "China’s Nuclear Plant on Course," Journal of Commerce Special, 2 January 1990, p.7b, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
4 January 1990
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, signs an agreement with China for a 300-megawatt nuclear power station. Western countries suspect the Chinese-built facility to be part of Pakistan’s quest for a nuclear weapon. China is accused of cooperating closely with Pakistan in its development of a nuclear weapons program.
— Sheila Tefft, "Pakistan's Nuclear Program Picks Up Pace," Christian Science Monitor, 4 January 1990, p.5, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
27 February 1990
Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen urges the United States and the Soviet Union to cut their nuclear arsenals by 50 percent. China also encourages all other nuclear weapon states to adopt a nuclear no-first-use policy.
— "All Kinds of Arms Race Should be Halted, Chinese Foreign Minister Urges," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 27 February 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
13 March 1990
The Chinese government’s Radiation Sanitary Protection Supervision Institute in Xinjiang Province claims that three decades of nuclear testing in western China has not harmed residents or the environment. In a six-year study, the Institute concluded that radiation generated by the tests has not had an adverse effect on the local environment or residents and "has had no bad influence on their health."
— "Study: Little Radiation in Area Where Nuclear Weapons Tested," United Press International, 13 March 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
28 March 1990
China’s Foreign Minister Qian Qichen expresses China’s willingness to contribute to global disarmament, including attending nuclear disarmament conferences alongside other nuclear powers.
— "China Willing to Join in Disarmament Efforts, Minister Says," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 28 March 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
24 April 1990
During a visit to Moscow, Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng and Soviet Prime Minister Nikolai Ryzhkov sign a ten year agreement on economic and scientific cooperation, which includes plans for the construction of a nuclear power station in China. The agreement marks the first sign of cooperation between the Beijing and Moscow governments in thirty years.
— Francis Clines, "Soviets and Chinese Sign Broad Pact," New York Times, 25 April 1990, p. A3, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
8 May 1990
During the annual session of the UN Disarmament Commission, Chinese Ambassador Hou Zhitong calls on the world’s two superpowers to take their disarmament commitments seriously. He accuses the United States and Soviet Union of threatening world security by "constantly upgrading their conventional armaments," and "replenishing their already huge nuclear arsenals with a new generation of nuclear weapons of improved accuracy, penetration and mobility." On Chinese nuclear proliferation and nuclear testing, Hou says, "China does not advocate, encourage or engage in nuclear proliferation."
— "China Urges Superpowers to Halt Arms Race, Realize Disarmament," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 8 May 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
21 May 1990
After searching approximately one-third of the country, 200 sites containing natural uranium are discovered in south-east China, the Qinling-Qilian mountain range, the Tianshan-Jungar mountain range, eastern Liaoning, and western Yunnan. The deposits are believed to be useful for short-term nuclear energy projects.
— "Industrial Production; China Discovers 200 Uranium Deposits," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 30 May 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
26 May 1990
The Chinese conduct their 35th nuclear test. The Hagfors Observatory Research Institute in Stockholm, Sweden detects the blast, which most likely took place in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwestern China, and estimates the yield to be between 40-50 kilotons. The last recorded Chinese nuclear test took place on 29 September 1988 and had a yield of less than 10 kilotons.
— "Chinese Nuclear Blast," Washington Post, 31 May 1990, p. A35, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
16 August 1990
China conducts its 36th nuclear test. The Australian Seismological Centre in Canberra, part of the Federal Bureau of Mineral Resources, detects the blast and estimates that it had a yield between 40-150 kilotons. The underground test was conducted at the Lop Nor testing facility in central China.
— "China Blast Detected in Australia," The Advertiser, 18 August 1990 in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
20 August 1990
The fourth NPT Review Conference opens in Geneva, Switzerland. Chinese and French representatives attend as observers. Both are nuclear weapons states that have not signed the NPT.
— "Late News in Brief," American Nuclear Society Nuclear News, September, 1990 (Mid-September, 1990), p.18a, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
29 August 1990
China exports low-level uranium to Pakistan, demonstrating highly-advanced, first-rate nuclear fuel production technology.
— "Pakistan - Uranium exports," Text: Zhongguo Tongxun She, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 29 August 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
11 September 1990
In a position paper to the fourth NPT Review Conference, the Chinese government says the "main flaw" in the NPT is that "it lacks provisions banning deployment of nuclear weapons on the territories of the non-nuclear-weapon countries."
— "Basic Position Paper Presented by China to the Fourth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," 11 September 1990, http://www.nti.org/db/china/engdocs/npt0990.htm>.
28 September 1990
In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Chinese foreign minister Qian Qichen says that the United States and the Soviet Union have a "special responsibility" to disarm. Qian calls on the two superpowers to make drastic nuclear and conventional arsenal reductions, reject a space arms race, destroy all chemical munitions, and withdraw all weapons and troops deployed abroad. Qian reiterates China’s nuclear no first-use policy, saying, "all nuclear states should undertake not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances and unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-free zones."
— "Chinese Foreign Minister's Speech at U.N. General Assembly," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 28 September 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
30 September 1990
A Chinese state company is reported to have sold large amounts of lithium hydride to Iraq. The rare chemical is a key component in making nuclear weapons and missile fuel. Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen denies the report, calling it "totally groundless." The sale would put China in violation of the UN embargo against Iraq, imposed by UNSCR 661 on 6 August 1990.
— Tim Kelsey, "Crisis in the Gulf: China Ships Vital Nuclear Cargo to Iraq; Chinese Arms Dealers Flaunt UN Embargo," The Independent (London), 30 September 1990, p.1, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Andrew Higgins, "Crisis in the Gulf: China ‘Has Not Broken Embargo’," The Independent (London), 1 October 1990, p.10, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
7 October 1990
The United States and the United Kingdom pressure Beijing to explain charges that China Wanbao Engineering Company, a subsidiary of China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), sold nuclear materials to Iraq in violation of the UN embargo. Chinese government officials claim that the sales took place without government knowledge.
— Tim Kelsey and Andrew Higgins, "Pressure Grows on China Over Nuclear Sale to Iraq," The Independent (London), 7 October 1990, p.1, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
15 October 1990
According to Chinese state run Xinhua News Service, Chinese delegate to the UN, Liu Shaodong, pledges his government’s participation in a UN campaign to determine the effect of radiation on people and the environment surrounding nuclear testing sites. Liu says that Beijing will provide the UN with data and scientific reports and hopes that information provided by other countries will be made available to all member nations.
— "China Backs UN Resolution on Atomic Energy Radiation," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 15 October 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
17 October 1990
Chinese Ambassador to the UN Hou Zhitong calls on the world’s superpowers to work towards complete elimination of WMD, especially nuclear weapons. He adds that disarmament should not serve as a ploy to deny countries the right to peaceful nuclear energy.
— "China Calls for an End to Nuclear Weapons," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 17 October 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
23 October 1990
In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Chinese Ambassador Hou Zhitong reiterates China’s commitment to the NPT goals of nuclear weapons nonproliferation, nuclear disarmament, and the spread of nuclear energy for civilian purposes. Hou expresses a desire to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the future and calls for all international efforts to be based on the principles of "mutual respect for sovereignty," "non-interference," "equality," and "mutual benefit."
— "China Reiterates Position on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 23 October 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
November 1990
American intelligence uncovers long-term espionage and theft of nuclear material by Chinese workers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. F.B.I. spokesperson Duke Diedrich says that the Chinese government has "both openly and covertly sought information at Lawrence Livermore." Chinese nuclear scientists reportedly used the stolen information to construct an experimental neutron bomb that they tested in September 1988. (A neutron bomb is a device that deals a deadly dose of radiation to humans but leaves infrastructure in place). Although most details are classified, an anonymous U.S. official attributed the security leak to a "total, complete lack of management oversight" at Lawrence Livermore. It is also suspected that the Chinese passed knowledge and materials on to other countries, including Pakistan.
— Michael Wines, "Chinese Atom-Arms Spying in U.S. Reported," New York Times, 22 November 1990, p. A5; in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; "China May Have Neutron Bomb," Toronto Star, 25 November 1990, p. A18, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
12 November 1990
A Chinese-submitted draft on nuclear disarmament is approved by the UN General Assembly. The draft calls on the world’s superpowers to halt the nuclear arms race and to reduce nuclear arsenals.
— "U.N. Committee Approves Draft on Nuke Disarmament," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 12 November 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
15 November 1990
China hosts talks in Beijing between North Korea, the United States, and the IAEA, addressing the issue of international nuclear safeguards and inspections of North Korea’s nuclear facilities.
— "N. Korea Likely to Sign Nuclear Inspection Pact," Japan Economic Newswire, 15 November 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
4 December 1990
During the 45th UN General Assembly, China abstains from voting on a resolution calling for the conclusion of a comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty. The treaty seeks to ban nuclear weapons testing in the atmosphere, under water, and in outer space. The resolution passes with 140 votes in favor, two votes against (U.S. and France), and six abstentions.
— "U.N. Adopts Resolution on Nuke Test," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 4 December 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
10 December 1990
China undertakes more than 100 uranium-mining projects, becoming one of the largest uranium producers in the world. The increase in production is part of the seventh five-year plan (1986-90).
— "China’s Nuclear Industry Meets Target," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 10 December 1990, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
28 December 1990
A team of nuclear experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency visits the Chinese nuclear facility at Daya Bay in Guangdong Province for three weeks. They report good quality control but raise concerns about operating measures, lax safety procedures, and lack of an off-site emergency plan. The inspectors recommend the recruitment and training of more than 400 technicians and craftsmen to run the plant.
— Ann Scott Tyson, "China’s Nuclear Plan-On the Line," Christian Science Monitor, 28 December 1990, p. 6, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
14 January 1991
A Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman denies allegations made in the British Magazine Foreign Report on January 10 that China sold 12 nuclear warheads to Saudi Arabia, calling the report "totally groundless."
— "China Denies Shipping of Nuclear Warheads to Saudi Arabia," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 14 January 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
18 February 1991
China is included in a list of countries whose companies have supplied Iraq with "nuclear, chemical, bacteriological, ballistic missile, or weapons manufacturing technology." The list is compiled using data provided by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and Mednews. China appears at the bottom of the list, with only one company in violation; West Germany tops the list with 134 companies.
— "Saddam’s Foreign Suppliers," MedNews, 18 February 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
28 February 1991
China denies loans to Pakistan and delays delivery of a 300-megawatt nuclear reactor in response to U.S. allegations that Islamabad is conducting a clandestine nuclear weapons program...
— Rauf Siddiqi, "Delay in Reactor Supply Angers Pakistanis; Nuclear Test Pushed," Nucleonics Week, p.14, 28 February 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
28 February 1991
China accedes to the Seabed Arms Control Treaty after thirty years of withholding. The Treaty was first signed on February 11, 1971 in Washington, London, and Moscow. Officially named the "Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Seabed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof," the agreement declares that the ocean floor is to be used for peaceful purposes only and excluded from arms races of any kind.
— "Seabed Arms Control Treaty," Federation of American Scientists (FAS) website, http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/seabed/text/index.html.
27 March 1991
Speaking at the 30th session of the U.N. legal sub-committee of outer space, head of the Chinese delegation He Qizhi announces China’s vision for nuclear power in outer space. "China does not deny the advantages and feasibility of the use of nuclear power sources in outer space," says He. "However, it must be based on the principle that security is assured so that no damage is caused." He calls for international cooperation and mutual understand in drafting outer space legislation while emphasizing the safe use of nuclear power sources in outer space.
— "China Pledges to Promote Outer Space Development," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 27 March 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
18 April 1991
The Chinese government blocks the sale of a secret nuclear reactor to Algeria. The U.S. CIA alleges that Algeria is constructing the Chinese-supplied reactor on its Mediterranean coast, despite not being a party to the NPT and therefore not being entitled to receive nuclear power technology from NPT member states. The Algerian Foreign Ministry admits to having a nuclear program, but insists that it is strictly for civilian purposes.
— Mark Hibbs, "Cooling Towers Are Key to Claim Algeria is Building Bomb Reactor," Nucleonics Week, p. 7, 18 April 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
26 April 1991
U.S. Undersecretary of State Robert M. Kimmitt is scheduled to travel to Beijing next week to discuss strained relations between the U.S. and China brought about by Chinese nuclear exports to Algeria, missile exports to Pakistan and Syria, and the Tiananmen Square massacre.
— Al Kamen, "U.S. to Discuss Worsening Relations With China; Rights Violations, Prospective Weapons Sales, Retaining Trade Status Likely Agenda Items," Washington Post, p. A19, 26 April 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
30 April 1991
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issues a statement admitting to clandestine nuclear cooperation with Algeria. The statement reads, "In February 1983, China and Algeria signed a protocol agreement on nuclear cooperation by which China accepted to supply Algeria with a heavy water research reactor." The statement claims that the reactor is "of a very low power" and intended only for civilian use. A Chinese Foreign Ministry official stated that the protocol was signed before China had joined the IAEA, "so the question of asking the Agency to apply safeguards and verification procedures was never brought up."
— "China-Algeria Nuclear Surprise," Mednews, p. 16, 13 May 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
1 May 1991
In response to Chinese weapons exports to third world countries, including the secret sale of a nuclear reactor to Algeria, U.S. President George Bush blocks a deal to sell parts for a communications satellite to China. Whitehouse spokesman Mark Fitzwater says the U.S.’s decision to withhold the components "underscores the importance attached to nonproliferation."
— Clyde H. Farnsworth, "Bush Denies Satellite Parts to China," New York Times, p.15, 1 May 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
9 May 1991
The Algerian government defends its secret nuclear reactor purchase from China and denies accusations that the facility is part of a nuclear weapons program. An official statement issued by the Algerian Ministry of Information says, "It’s true that there’s scientific cooperation between China and Algeria in the nuclear sphere, but only for peaceful purposes."
— Eldad Beck, "An Islamic Bomb in Algeria," Jerusalem Report, p.30, 9 May 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
12 May 1991
In response to U.S. State Department efforts to dissuade China from exporting nuclear materials, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wu Jianmin says, "China’s policies ... will not be changed by external pressure." A Washington Post study shows that U.S. diplomacy has had little effect on Chinese nuclear behavior, saying that China has sold nuclear-ready missiles to Pakistan, a plutonium-producing reactor to Algeria, bomb designs and fuel to Pakistan, unsafeguarded "heavy water" reactors to India, uranium to South Africa, "heavy water" reactors Argentina, and uranium to Brazil.
— Gary Milhollin and Gerard White, "A New China Syndrome: Beijing's Atomic Bazaar," Washington Post, 12 May 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
23 May 1991
European government and nuclear industry representatives refuse to limit nuclear commerce with China, despite U.S. pressure. Although China is not a member of the NPT and is suspected of providing weapons assistance to Algeria, Pakistan, North Korea, Syria, and possibly even Iran and Iraq, European leaders still see China as an important long-term trading partner. According to French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas, France wants to "reassure China that it will continue to have access" to French nuclear support and that France will supply China with a nuclear power plant in the near future. An official from German company Siemens AG says that China "has not been written off" as a business partner. A British industry official says that his company plans to "keep its hand" in the Chinese nuclear industry and plans to keep supplying equipment to China’s Daya Bay power station.
— Mark Hibbs, "Despite U.S. Alarm Over Algeria, Europeans Won’t Blacklist China," Nucleonics Week, p.1, 23 May 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
23 May 1991
China is the only country in 1990 to increase its nuclear testing, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Overall, nuclear testing hits a 30-year low in 1990, with the United States performing eight tests, France six, China two, and the Soviet Union and Britain each performing one test. SIPRI notes that the reduction in tests in countries besides China is the first move towards nuclear disarmament since the beginning of the Cold War.
— "Nuclear Testing and Arsenals Decline, SIPRI Reports," Agence France Presse, 23 May 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
28 May 1991
When asked why China continues to export weapons and technology to the Middle East, a Chinese military officer answers, "Why for money, of course." A recent DIA study cites financial gain as the motivation behind China’s weapons sales to states of proliferation concern. A Bush administration official says, "It is the conscious policy of the Chinese to covertly sell missiles to whoever can pay for them." The U.S. has decided to place trade restrictions on China because of its arms export policies.
— Bill Gertz, "China Can't Say No to Arms Buyers," Washington Times, p. A1, 28 May 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
7 June 1991
A Chinese Foreign Ministry official accepts Pakistan’s invitation to attend five-nation nonproliferation talks in South Asia. The Soviet Union, India, and the U.S. are also invited but have not yet responded.
— "China Agrees to South Asian Nuclear Non Proliferation Talks," Agence France Presse, 7 June 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
9 June 1991
France pledges to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), leaving China as the only confirmed nuclear weapons state - and only permanent member of the UN Security Council - to not commit to the arms treaty. France’s decision ends 23 years of withholding from the NPT since the treaty was first signed in 1968.
— "Two countries that have seen the light," Atlanta Journal and Constitution, p.4, 9 June 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
17-18 June 1991
U.S. Undersecretary of State for International Security Affairs Reginald Bartholomew visits Beijing for two days of talks on nuclear and missile proliferation. Beijing indicates that it will consider signing international agreements limiting nuclear proliferation and sales of missile technology.
— James Tyson, ‘US Seeks to Curb China’s Trade in Ballistic Missiles," Christian Science Monitor, 17 June 1991, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; AP, "China Said to Weigh Signing International Arms Accords," The New York Times, 19 June 1991, p. A4, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
19 June 1991
Chinese weapons manufacturers market their "smart bomb" at a commercial air show in Paris. According to a brochure, detonation of the Z501KG, or Fuel Air Targo Bomb, produces an explosion five times the size of its equivalent in TNT and the after-effects are similar to that of nuclear explosion. "When it is exploded, the bomblets release new kinds of high energy fuel which absorb hydrogen in the air, gasify into clouded mist and then ignite to produce a strong shock wave," the brochure says. While fuel air bombs were used by America during Operation Dessert Storm, China is the first country to sell them on the open market.
— Peter Goodspeed, "China’s Arms Sales Boom," Toronto Star, p. A1, 19 June 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
25 June 1991
Chinese Premiere Li Peng expresses his country’s willingness to enter into discussions with the United States about curbing weapons exports. Peng says that he believes the two countries can come to a "fair and reasonable" agreement. The US has encouraged China to exercise "collective self-restraint" especially in its arms exports to Middle Eastern countries. Peng urges the U.S. to renew China’s MFN trading status in exchange for joint arms control efforts.
— Kathy Wilhelm, "Premier Says China Ready to Talk About Limiting Arms Sales," Associated Press, 25 June 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
27 June 1991
During his visit to Japan this week, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen is expected to discuss plans to sign the NPT, among other things, in light of France’s recent decision to sign the treaty.
— Naoaki Usui, "China to Discuss NPT and North Korea with Japan," Nucleonics Week, p.10, 27 June 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
27 June 1991
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee passes a resolution demanding that China cease exporting "missiles and unsafeguarded nuclear equipment, materials, and technology." Congress is especially concerned with recent Chinese weapons sales to Syria, Pakistan, Algeria and other suspicious countries. The resolution warns that China’s continued transfer of missiles and nuclear components will result in a worsening of relations between the two countries.
— "US House Committee Wants Peking to Restrict Weapons Transfers," Central News Agency - Taiwan, 27 June 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
30 June 1991
Iranian opposition members tell Congress that Tehran has attempted to buy nuclear weapons from China. U.S. government officials say there is no evidence to support the claim, denied by both China and Iran. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wu Jianmin says, "That is a totally groundless report and a sheer fabrication...The position China adheres to is that it does not advocate, encourage or practice nuclear proliferation. Nor does it help other countries to develop nuclear weapons."
— Mary Curtius, "Dissidents Say Tehran is Pursuing Nuclear Arms," Boston Globe, 30 June 1991, p. 21, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
2 July 1991
A recently declassified U.S. Army report states that China had considered supplying Iraq with a nuclear reactor in the 1980s, despite suspicions that the reactor was to be part of Iraq’s nuclear weapons program. The document became available to experts at the Nuclear Control Institute as a result of the Freedom of Information Act. Experts cannot conclude whether or not China actually sold and delivered the reactor to Iraq.
— "Group Says U.S. Knew China Was Negotiating Nuclear Deal With Iraq," Associated Press, 2 July 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
4 July 1991
Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng demands international cooperation for disarmament and nonproliferation in the Middle East. After a diplomatic meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Peng says, "All parties should reduce their weapons in a balanced way and ban the use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and destroy all they hold." The statement comes at a time when the U.S. is accusing China of selling nuclear-capable missiles to Pakistan.
— "China calls for Middle East weapons ban," Herald Sun, 4 July 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
8-9 July 1991
After two days of negotiations in Paris, the United States, Soviet Union, China, Britain and France agree to develop specific guidelines and mechanisms to restrict arms sales to the Middle East. The five nations also agree to develop and maintain "stringent national and, as far as possible, harmonized controls" on the transfer of WMD with the aim of achieving a WMD-free zone in the Middle East.
— Alan Riding, "5 Powers Will Seek Ban on Major Mideast Arms," New York Times, 10 July 1991, p. A9, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
11 July 1991
Despite threat of a presidential veto, the U.S. House of Representatives votes against renewing China’s MFN trading status with a vote of 223-204. A second resolution also passes, with a vote of 313-112, making the renewal of MFN trading status in 1992 conditional upon changes in Chinese policy, including the cessation of missile and nuclear technology exports to countries with suspected nuclear weapons programs.
— Paul Clancy, "House Votes to Strip China of Trade Status," USA Today, p. 4a, 11 July 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
22 July 1991
Mednews reports that Chinese enterprises have sold a long list of nuclear-related equipment and materials to Middle Eastern countries, including "hot isostatic presses, high-speed streaking cameras, neutron generators, accelerometers and gyros, high-vacuum valves and pumps, inverters, frequency converters, gas flowmeters, hot cells, remote manipulators, precision instrumentation, and cobalt magnets for centrifuge enrichment" as well as "zirconium metal and alloys, nickel powder, lithium metal, hafnium metal, beryllium metal and alloys, depleted uranium, uranium deuteride (heavy water), uranium hexafluoride, titanium, calcium metal, graphite, tributyl phosphate, maraging steel, tritium, spherical aluminum powder, and ion exchange resins." The sale of these items is forbidden under the rules of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and other nuclear export regimes.
— "Nuclear Wares From China," Mednews, 22 July 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
25 July 1991
Responding to the U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty that proposes to reduce nuclear arsenals on each side by 35%, the Chinese Foreign Ministry releases a statement encouraging the two superpowers to make further cuts. Singling out the US and USSR, the statement says, "We hope that these two countries will take the lead in stopping the testing, production and deployment of nuclear weapons and drastically reduce all the nuclear weapons they have deployed in every region of the world, so that conditions can be created for a widely representative international conference on nuclear disarmament." The statement echoes comments made by Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen last year at the UN Disarmament Conference, when Qian implied that China would consider participating in international disarmament talks if the US and USSR could reduce their nuclear arsenals by fifty percent.
— "China Urges Deeper Nuclear Arms Cuts by U.S., Soviets," Associated Press, 25 July 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
28 July 1991
Western intelligence agencies suspect that China is sending experts to Iran to help build a nuclear bomb. The Chinese scientists are believed to be working at a nuclear weapons facility northwest of Tehran. The U.S. Senate has also accused China of agreeing to build a nuclear research reactor in Iran.
— Marie Colvin, "Secret Iranian Plans for a Nuclear Bomb," Sunday Times, 28 July 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
11 August 1991
During a visit from Japanese Prime Minster Kaifu to Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wu Jianmin announces China’s intention "in principle" to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). China will be the last of the admitted five nuclear powers to sign the international nuclear arms control treaty. "On many occasions in the past, China made clear its reasons for not acceding to the treaty. Now things have changed. This is for the purpose of attaining the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons," Wu says. White House spokesperson Martin Fitzwater responds, "We welcome this development and we look forward to early ratification by China of the treaty." The decision is part of China’s efforts to normalize relations after the Tiananmen Square massacre of student protestors in 1989.
— Sheryl WuDunn, "China Backs Pact on Nuclear Arms," New York Times, 11 August 1991, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
11 August 1991
Talks between China and Pakistan on the establishment of a nuclear weapons-free zone in South Asia are scheduled to take place on August 12 in Beijing. The announcement of the talks comes directly after China’s announcement that it will sign the NPT. Pakistan says it will consider joining the NPT if India also signs.
— "Sino-Pakistan Talks on De-Nuclearising Asia Begin Monday," Agence France Presse, 11 August 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
29 August 1991
Former ambassador to Beijing and Seoul James Lilly tells Seoul newspaper Hanguk Ilbo that China will urge North Korea to give up its nuclear program. The announcement comes after Jane’s Intelligence Review reports that North Korea possesses the ability to make a nuclear bomb. Lilly claims it is in China’s interest for North Korea to remain a benign, non-nuclear neighbor. "China is pressing the North to stop developing nuclear weapons," says Lilly. In the past, the U.S. has had limited success in convincing North Korea to conform to international nonproliferation law. North Korea accuses the U.S. of deploying nuclear weapons in South Korea.
— "China Pressing N. Korea to End its Nuclear Program: Lilley," Agence France Presse, 29 August 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
15 September 1991
U.S. President Bush imposes limited trade sanctions against China. Administration officials say that the sanctions are "a means of convincing the Chinese that it is not in their interest to be selling ballistic missiles and nuclear technology." Of particular concern to the U.S. government is suspected Chinese weapons exports to Middle Eastern countries, such as India, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria. The sanctions have two goals: 1) to limit China’s access to foreign satellite technology and 2) to penalize Chinese companies that manufacture weapons and weapons technology for export.
— "Bush Imposes China Sanctions," Mednews, 15 September 1991, p. 23, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
26 September 1991
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wu Jianmin dismisses a report in South Korea’s Joongang Daily News accusing China of approving of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. According to the report, Pyongyang officials alerted Beijing that North Korea sought a nuclear deterrent against Western powers that were planning to topple its government. Wu denies that China had prior knowledge of North Korea’s nuclear program, though he admits that North Korea and China enjoy good relations. "There are frequent exchanges (of visits) between the leaders," Wu says.
— "China Denies Knowledge of North Korean Nuclear Arms Programme," Agence France Presse, 26 September, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
15 October 1991
Chinese nuclear scientist Hua Tingqiang disappears while taking a nature walk on Emei Mountain in Sichuan Province. Hua serves as senior engineer and director of intelligence at the nuclear research institute of Shanghai Academy of Sciences and has access to highly sensitive information, including details about China’s nuclear program. Authorities speculate that Hua was either kidnapped or killed in a nature accident, possibly by a wild animal.
— Sheryl WuDunn, "Disappearance of Atomic Official Stirs Beijing," The New York Times, 26 January 1992, p. 4, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
25 October 1991
The National People’s Congress convenes to debate China’s signing of the NPT. In its 22nd session, expected to last six days, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Huaqiu tells the Standing Committee, "The NPT, a popular international treaty in the field of arms control and reduction, has played an important role in curbing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Though it still has some weak points, the treaty is beneficial to world peace and stability." The Standing Committee must ratify the treaty in order for it to go into effect in China.
— "Legislators Hear Report on China’s Accession to NPT," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 25 October 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
28 October 1991
Chinese scientists have figured out a way to enrich uranium using lasers, Xinhua News Service reports. The laser technique is supposedly more efficient than traditional methods of diffusion and centrifugal enrichment. Laser separation is also useful for "the re-enrichment of exhaust uranium discharged from nuclear reactors and low-quality uranium as well as for purifying plutonium and mercury isotopes." It took scientists five years to refine the technique at China’s research institute in Tianjin.
— "China Separates Uranium by Laser," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 28 October 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
30 October 1991
The U.S. government is concerned by reports that China sold Iran a calutron, a primitive piece of equipment that can be used in the uranium-enrichment process. A calutron cannot, as is, produce weapons-grade uranium, although Iran might be able to alter the device to make it do so. Bush administration officials allege that the calutron sale is part of an overall effort by the Chinese to help Iran overcome difficulties in the development of its nuclear weapons program.
— Elaine Sciolino, "Report Says Iran Seeks Atomic Arms," New York Times, 31 October 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; "Iran N-Arms Fear," Financial Times, 31 October 1991, p. 1, 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, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
31 October 1991
U.S. nuclear watchdogs report that China is supplying Iran with M-9 and M-11 ballistic missiles and equipment to produce fissile material. The official visit of Chinese President Yang Shangkun to Tehran raises suspicions among Washington experts that military nuclear technology is being transferred. "There is no question that the supplies far exceed the needs of Iran’s civilian nuclear industry," explains Gary Milhollin, head of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms. Milhollin also accuses China of training Iranian nuclear scientists and assisting in the building of a new nuclear reactor at Esfahan.
— Simon Tisdall, "China 'Helps Iran to Make N-Bombs," Guardian, 31 October 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
31 October 1991
Iranian officials acknowledge that Iran has purchased nuclear technology from China for peaceful purposes but deny attempting to develop nuclear weapons. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wu Jianmin states that all nuclear cooperation programs adhere to three principles: the programs must be for peaceful purposes only; nuclear installations must be open to international inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency; and the recipient country must receive Chinese permission before transferring nuclear technology received from China to other countries.
— "Iran Denies Deals Tied to Atom Arms," New York Times, 1 November 1991, p. A13, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
31 October 1991
The National People’s Congress fails to ratify China’s signing of the NPT. The decision occurs after the U.S. accuses China of selling nuclear items to Iran. "We believe there is some form of nuclear cooperation between China and Iran," says US State Department official Richard Solomon. Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Wu Jianmin responds by saying that his country "has cooperated with many countries, including Iran," but that the cooperation is strictly "in the field of the peaceful use of nuclear energy."
— "China Fails to Ratify Nuclear Treaty," Agence France Presse, 31 October 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
15-17 November 1991
Secretary of State James Baker visits Beijing. During a meeting with Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, Baker calls upon China to halt its transfers of nuclear weapons technology to third world countries such as Algeria and Iran. Chinese officials respond by reiterating their commitment to accede to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty by March 1992, but make no commitment to stop exporting nuclear technologies ostensibly for civilian use. Chinese officials also claim France had bid for the same Algerian nuclear contract and had lost to Beijing. Although agreeing on the need to address the North Korea nuclear problem, Chinese officials say they have to deal with the problem in their own way and that they want to maintain close ties to North Korea. This is the highest level visit from the U.S. since Tiananmen.
— Thomas Friedman, "Baker Asks China to Free Prisoners," New York Times, 16 November 1991, p. 3, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Thomas Friedman, "Baker’s China Trip Fails to Produce Pledge on Rights," New York Times, 18 November 1991, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Peter Grier, "Baker’s China Trip Effects No Change on Human Rights," Christian Science Monitor, 20 November 1991, p. 8, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Flora Lewis, "Beijing’s Subtle Nuclear Diplomacy," New York Times, 29 November 1991, p. A35, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
19 November 1991
Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen says that China will not pressure North Korea to give up its weapons program nor participate in any international agreement to isolate North Korea, despite U.S. pressure. Chinese officials have indicated that it is in China’s interest for North Korea to remain non-nuclear; however, China has not stopped providing technical support for North Korea’s nuclear program, as Russia has, nor made diplomatic relations with North Korea conditional upon the dismantling of its nuclear weapons plant, as Japan has.
— "A Nuclear Leash for North Korea," Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 19 November 1991, p.22, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
15 November 1991
In accordance with nuclear safeguard regulations, China submits a letter to the IAEA, promising to provide required reports about peaceful nuclear exports to non-nuclear weapon states. The letter details the kind of information China will provide, including what materials are being exported, which companies are preparing the materials for export, and to whom the materials are being exported. The letter also details the schedule for reporting information.
— "Notification to the Agency of Exports and Imports of Nuclear Material," International Atomic Energy Agency, INFCIRC/207/Add.2, December 1991, from IAEA website, http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Infcircs/Numbers/nr201-250.shtml.
28 November 1991
Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Wu Jianmin seeks IAEA approval for China to sell a small, civilian nuclear reactor to Syria. According to Wu, the reactor is "a miniature neutron source reactor with the power of 30 kilowatts used for neutron activation analysis and isotope production." The reactor is considered to be harmless by nuclear scientists. "The safeguards agreement concerning this reactor is yet to be ratified by IAEA’s board of directors," comments Wu. China has sold the same kind of reactor to Pakistan in the past and plans to transfer one to Ghana in the future.
— "China to Give Syria Nuclear Reactor," Hamilton Spectator, 29 November 1991, p.c16, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; "China to Supply Syria with Miniature Nuclear Reactor," Agence France Presse, 28 November 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
5 December 1991
Chinese Vice Minister Tian Jiyun makes China’s first official statement opposing a nuclear North Korea. During a visit in Tokyo, Tian tells Japanese Foreign Minister Michio Watanabe that his country will not provide support to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program under any circumstances. Tian also expresses China’s willingness to cooperate with Japan on a system for registering conventional arms.
— "Chinese Official: China Opposed to Nukes in N. Korea," Report from Japan, 9 December, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
7 December 1991
The IAEA denies a request by Syria to purchase a civilian nuclear reactor from China. A delegate to the IAEA board of governors meeting that made the decision says, "This reflects the pressure that Non-Proliferation Treaty states are applying on those that are party to the treaty but haven’t completed safeguards agreements." The IAEA board of governors approves China’s request to sell the same reactor to Ghana.
— Michael Wise, "Nuclear Sale to Syria Blocked," Independent, 7 December 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
15 December 1991
China’s first nuclear power plant, the 300 megawatt pressurized-water reactor at the Qinshan plant south of Shanghai in Zhejiang Province, begins trial operations. After inspections by the IAEA, the plant is expected to go into full operation by June 1992. The plant was built at a cost of $650 million and will serve as a base to train nuclear technicians. Included in the installation of the plant are a U.S. turbine control system, a Swiss steam bypass system, a West German cooling pump, a Japanese reactor-containment vessel, a French reactor-display instrument, and Swedish heat-transfer equipment. China is the sixth nation to design and build a nuclear reactor.
— AP, "China Begins Trial Operation of Its First Atomic Power Plant," New York Times, 19 December 1991, p. A12, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com; James Tyson, "China Turns on to Nuclear Power," Christian Science Monitor, 25 March 1992, p. 12, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
29 December 1991
Chinese legislators ratify the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The decision marks a change from the previous session of the National People’s Council, when the Standing Committee voted against ratification. China becomes the last of the five nuclear powers to accept the terms of the NPT.
— "Legislators Approve China’s Decision to Join Nuclear Treaty," Agence France Presse, 29 December 1991, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
31 December 1991
After a year of negotiations, China agrees to sell a "300 MWe pressurized water reactor" to Pakistan. The reactor will be subject to IAEA inspections and is said to be for peaceful purposes only. The US accuses Pakistan of operating a clandestine nuclear weapons program.
— "Deal Closed with China for 300-MWe PWR Import," Nuclear News, February 1992, p. 40, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
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