The U.S. Department of State announced on Thursday (September 12) sanctions against four Chinese entities, one Pakistani entity, and one Chinese individual for their alleged involvement in providing materials for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry collaborated with Pakistan’s National Defence Complex (NDC) in procuring equipment for the Shaheen-3 ballistic missile, Ababeel ballistic missile, and rocket engine testing possibly for larger systems.
The sanctions also target Chinese companies Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Company, Universal Enterprise Limited, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited, as well as Pakistani Innovative Equipment and Chinese citizen Luo Dongmei (also known as Steed Luo), for knowingly participating in ballistic missile proliferation and procurement activities.
Miller stated in the announcement that “as today’s action demonstrates, the United States will continue to take action against proliferation and related procurement activities, regardless of where they occur.”
The Chinese Embassy in Washington spokesperson Liu Pengyu responded, stating that they “strongly oppose” the U.S. sanctions. The Pakistani Embassy did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
In April this year, the U.S. also imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies and one Belarusian company under Executive Order 13382 targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, for their alleged involvement in Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program.
The sanctioned Chinese companies were Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd, Granpect Co. Ltd., and Belarus’ Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant.
In October last year, the U.S. similarly sanctioned three Chinese companies for providing materials for Pakistan’s missile program.