Congressional Statements

Pallone says Chinese actions threaten India, violates agreement with U.S.

Press Release
July 5, 2000

In the wake of new reports that China is aiding Pakistan's missile development program, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ, is calling on the Clinton Administration to immediately impose sanctions on China.

"China and Pakistan both consider India to be their major strategic threat B which is absurd, considering that India has been the victim of both Pakistani and Chinese aggression," Pallone said. "But, given that shared strategic outlook on the part of China and Pakistan, it is clear that these two nations have teamed up to surround India and create an alarming potential for instability in Asia.

"While Pakistan remains subject to U.S. sanctions as a result of its nuclear explosions and last year's military coup, the Administration has been trying to influence China with its policy of 'comprehensive engagement.' Clearly, at least in the case of Pakistan, the policy is not working. It's time to get tough with Beijing."

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other U.S. intelligence agencies have reported that China has stepped up its provision of key components and technical expertise for the development by Pakistan of long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

In response to the most recent reports, Pallone has written to President Clinton urging that sanctions be imposed on China "forthwith." He noted that sanctions had been imposed on China in 1991 and in 1993 for the provision of M-11 missiles, with a range of 300 km (186 mi.).

In his letter to the President, Pallone wrote: "A new era of cooperation between India and the U.S. has been ushered in, thanks in no small part to your recent trip to India that I was honored to be a part of. As we work to heighten our cooperation with India on such issues as security, nonproliferation and combating terrorism, it seems inconsistent not to hold China accountable for actions that directly threaten the security of India and which will inevitably spur a heightened arms race on the subcontinent."

"In an effort to forestall action by Congress, the Administration has tried to tout China's reduction of weapons exports to the Middle East, North Korea and other areas of concern. But it appears, from the Administration's own information, that the flow of nuclear technology and delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction to Pakistan continues unabated," Pallone continued.

Pallone and other Members of Congress have long been concerned about transfers of technology by the People's Republic of China (PRC) that contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles that could deliver them. For example, in 1996, Pallone and others called for sanctions on China for the sale of ring magnets, which can be used to enrich uranium, to Pakistan.

Since 1992, Beijing has taken some steps to mollify American concerns about proliferation, including promises to abide by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which it has not joined, and accession to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).

But, the Director of Central Intelligence reports that the PRC remains a "key supplier" of technology inconsistent with nonproliferation goals.

"There have been some suggestions that the new information about the ongoing Chinese military assistance to Pakistan could imperil passage of permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China in the Senate," Pallone said. "I would hope that these revelations would give the Senate pause. And, if the Administration considers PNTR passage so important, it must demonstrate to Congress that it is serious about cracking down on China's violation of nonproliferation agreements."

Echoing language included in bipartisan legislation, Pallone said the sanctions on China should include: prohibition of U.S. Government transfers or sales of any item on the U.S. Munitions List, termination of all sales and after-sale servicing of any defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services under the Arms Export Control Act, prohibition of U.S. assistance in the form of grants, loans, credits or guarantees, and immediate suspension of any agreements or efforts for the co-development or co-production of any item on the U.S. Munitions List.