Resources on India and Pakistan

US Arms Control/Nonproliferation Sanctions Against China

This page provides a survey for reference purposes of the history and status of arms control/nonproliferation-related sanctions imposed against China and/or Chinese entities by the United States.

US NONPROLIFERATION SANCTIONS AGAINST CHINA AND/OR CHINESE ENTITIES
 

DATE	SANCTIONS	DESCRIPTION	STATUS
21 May 1997	-Prohibition of US government procurement of goods or services from the sanctioned entities or persons  -Prohibition of the importation into the United States of any products produced by the sanctioned entities	-Imposed pursuant to the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991  -Imposed against five Chinese individuals, two Chinese companies, and one Hong Kong company for knowingly and materially contributing to Iran's chemical weapons program  -The entities and individuals were involved in the export of dual-use chemical precursors and/or chemical production equipment and technology  -Imposed against:    -Liao Minglong, Tian Yi, and Chen Qingchang (aka QC Chen), Pan Yongming, and Shao Xingsheng (all Chinese citizens)   -Nanjing Chemical Industries Group (NCI) (Chinese company)   -Jiangsu Yongli Chemical Engineering and Technology Import/Export Corp (Chinese company)   -Cheong Yee Limited (Hong Kong company)	Duration of a minimum of one year
24 August 1993	Prohibition of the export of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) items and US government contracts; China criticized the sanctions on the grounds that they were based on inaccurate intelligence	-Imposed pursuant to the 1990 Missile Technology Control Act  -The US Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs determined that China's Ministry of Aerospace Industry and Pakistan's Ministry of Defense had engaged in missile technology proliferation activities  -Imposed against the two entities and their subsidiaries, etc., denying export licenses for items in the MTCR Annex for two years, and denial of US govt. contracts relating to the same items  -Also imposed against Chinese govt. organizations involved in development or production of electronics, space systems, or equipment and military aircraft  -Imposed against (Chinese entities):  -Chinese Ministry of Aerospace Industry (MAI)  -MAI subsidiaries sanctioned:   -China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC)   -China National Space Administration (CNSA)   -China Aerospace Corporation (CASC)   -China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC)   -Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST)  -Beijing Wan Yuan Industry Corporation (BWYIC)   -China Haiying Company  -Shanghai Astronautics Industry Bureau (SHBOA)  -China Chang Feng Group  (Pakistani entities):  -Ministry of Defense  -On 1 November 1994, subsequent to the 4 October 1994 US-China joint statement on missile proliferation, the US State Department determined that in the interest of US national security, it was essential to waive the sanctions against the Chinese Ministry of Aerospace Industry and all its subsidiaries  -Sanctions against the Pakistani Ministry of Defense remained in place	Waived 1 November 1994;   Sanctions against Pakistani Ministry of Defense expired August 1995
25 May 1991	Prohibition of the export of missile-related computer technology and satellites	-Imposed pursuant to the 1990 Missile Technology Control Act  -Restricting the export of missile technology, missile-related computers and satellites  -No waivers on satellite export licenses  -Imposed against (Chinese entities):  -China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC)   -China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC)  (Pakistani entity):  Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO)  The Bush administration announced on 21 February 1992 that the sanctions would be waived for national security reasons	Waived 23 March 1992; Sanctions against Pakistan's SUPARCO expired
22 October 1987	Suspension of high-tech imports to China	The Reagan Administration, in response to the Chinese sales of anti-ship missiles to Iran on 22 October 1987, suspended the process of gradual liberalization of the sophistication of high-tech items that were permitted to be sold to China  -During Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian's March 1988 visit to Washington, DC, the US State Department announced that the Reagan Administration was lifting the suspension because it was satisfied that China was not selling Silkworm missiles to Iran	Lifted 9 March 1988
16 December 1985	Prohibition of the export of nuclear materials, facilities, or components	-On 23 July 1985, China and the US signed a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement  -US Congress enacted an approval resolution (PL 99-183) that requires presidential certification of certain conditions before export licenses may be issued for nuclear material, facilities or components covered by the agreement	Active

[Sources: Dianne E. Rennack, "China: US Economic Sanctions," CRS Report for Congress, Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress, 1 July 1996; Risk Report, October 1995, p. 8; "US Imposes CW Sanctions Against Chinese Entities," US Department of State, Office of the Spokesman Press Statement, 22 May 1997.]