January 1, 2006 :: Interfax :: News
The U.S. has placed six Chinese state-owned companies under sanctions for selling WMD materials to Iran. According to Interfax, the materials included cruise and ballistic missile systems. Under the terms of the Iran Nonproliferation Act, the six companies will be prohibited from doing business with the U.S. government, and U.S. firms will not be allowed to sell “sensitive products,” meaning equipment that can be converted into WMD or delivery systems, to these companies. The Iran Nonproliferation Act was set up to deter international support for Iran’s nuclear, chemical, biological and missile programs.
The six companies are China National Aerotechnology Import Export Corp (CATIC), China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), Zibo Chemet Equipment Co, Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG), Ounion International Economic and Technical Cooperation Ltd, and Limmt Metallurgy and Minerals Company Ltd. CATIC, NORINCO and Zibo have been sanctioned in the past. This is the fifth time Zibo and Norinco have been sanctioned, since May 2002 and June 2003 respectively. CATIC was previously sanctioned in December 2004. (Article)
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