The US has imposed sanctions on a Chinese government weapons supplier accused of exporting missile technology in violation of efforts to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, the US embassy said yesterday.
It was the second time in two years that a major Chinese state-owned conglomerate has been punished by Washington on charges of proliferating missile technology. China has denied previous accusations and says it supports arms-control efforts.
The US announcement didn't identify what country the latest company, Xinshidai or China New Era Group, was accused of dealing with or what it exported. But other Chinese weapons makers have been accused of helping Iran's missile program.
New Era's Web site says the 24-year-old firm handles exports for Chinese military contractors, as well as trading in goods as varied as tires and noodles.
The US government concluded the company "contributed materially" to another country's efforts to make missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction, an embassy spokesman said, reading from a statement by the US State Department's Bureau of Nonproliferation.
New Era is barred for two years from exporting goods to the US or doing business with the US government, the spokesman said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
The spokesman said he didn't know what New Era might be selling to the US or whether it had government contracts.
Beijing is under pressure to stop what US officials say is the transfer of missile and weapons technology by Chinese companies to Iran, Pakistan and other countries.
China is a close ally and the main weapons supplier to Pakistan, whose former chief nuclear scientist has admitted passing nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea. Beijing has been trying to promote an image of itself as a responsible nuclear power and a partner in keeping weapons technology out of the hands of terrorists and rogue governments.
The Foreign Ministry said China "resolutely opposes" the spread of long-range missiles and other weapons of mass destruction and has a "common interest" with Washington.
China isn't a member of the US-led Missile Technology Control Regime -- a 34-nation coalition to limit the spread of long-range missiles -- but has promised to abide by its restrictions.
In May last year, Washington imposed sanctions against China's biggest state-owned weapons maker, Norinco, after accusing it of aiding Iran's long-range missile program. The company denied the accusation.
In 2002, the US punished nine smaller Chinese entities accused of transferring weapons technology or related goods to Iran.
US officials say Iran is trying to develop a missile able to reach NATO countries in Western Europe. Its Shahab 3 missile already has a 1,300km range -- enough to reach Israel and US troops stationed in an area extending from Turkey to Afghanistan.
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