CGWIC was established in 1980 and is one of the principal international trade arms under the former China Aerospace Corporation (CASC). It is the sole commercial organization authorized by the Chinese government to provide commercial satellite launch services and space technology to international clients. It established the Great Wall Aerospace Group in 1993 with 32 other entities such as China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation and China Aerospace Industry Technology Consulting Company. It is also a member of the New Era (Xinshidai) Group.

Import/Exports

CGWIC imports and exports missiles, space technology and equipment, space launch services, precision machinery, electronics, instruments, and meters. It has offered satellite launch services since 1986 and has launched 14 satellites for international customers and completed three piggyback payload missions. CGWIC is currently developing an improved version of the CZ-2E space launch vehicle (SLV), called the CZ-2E/EPKM, and it will produce the CZ-1D SLV.

Rocket Launches

After the third successful launch of Motorola Iridium mobile communications satellites on 2 May 1998 from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province, CGWIC agreed to launch an additional eight pairs of backup Iridium satellites aboard Long March 2C/SD boosters. The improved Long March rocket can carry two Iridium satellites into preset orbits in one launches, and increases Great Wall's competitiveness in the international market for medium- and low-orbit satellite launches.

However, Great Wall has been hurt by its launch failures and the US government restriction on satellite launches. In a bid to increase sales, Great Wall is now offering free re-flights or cash refunds in case of launch failures and political risk protection for customers concerned that they will not be able to obtain export licenses for their satellites. The lack of business, as well as competition from other rockets, has also slowed development of a new Long March rocket that is more powerful than the Long March 3B.

Recent Developments

CGWIC has been sanctioned by the U.S. government for allegedly exporting missile-related items to various countries of concern. In 1991, CGWIC was sanctioned for selling missile technology and satellites to Pakistan in violation of the U.S. 1990 Missile Technology Control Act. This set of sanctions was imposed in June 1991 and waived in March 1992. More recently on in June 2006 CGWIC was sanctioned in accordance with U.S. Executive Order 13382 for missile related trade with Iran. CGWIC was also added to the U.S. Treasury Department's list of "Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons under the Office of Foreign Assets Control", under Executive Order 13382. EO 13382 was created in June 2005 to freeze U.S. assets of entities and individuals connected to firms designated under the sanctions. CGWIC was also under sanctions for violation of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000. It was sanctioned both in September 2004 and in December 2004. All U.S. sanctions against CGWIC have since been lifted.

CGWIC has recently assisted the launch activities of Nigeria, and Pakistan. The PakSat 1R will be launched into orbit with CGWIC Long March 3B rocket by 2011. In 2007 CGWIC sent two Nigerian Satellites into orbit.

Sources:
[1] CGWIC company brochure, 1999; "China Gears up for More Iridiums," Flight International, 13-19 May 1998, p.33.
[2] "Competitiveness Boosted; Rocket's Ability Proved," China Daily, 4 May 1998
[3] Hua Di, "China's Case: Ballistic Missile Proliferation," in Potter and Jencks, The International Missile Bazaar, p. 165.
[4] Robert Shuey and Shirley A. Kan, "Chinese Missile And Nuclear Proliferation: Issues For Congress," CRS Issue Brief, 29 September 1995, p. 4.
[5] Risk Report, May 1995, p. 6.
[6] Warren Ferster, "China Great Wall Failure-Protection Offers Expanded," Space News, 14 February 2000, p. 10.
[7] "China to Deliver Telecom Satellite to Pakistan," Space Mart, 17 Oct 2008, in Spacenews, www.spacemart.com.