US imposes sanctions on Chinese firms for supplying missile parts to Pakistan

The United States has imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies, accusing them of transferring ballistic missile technology to Pakistan, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

The restrictions affected General Technology Limited, Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development Co Ltd. and Changzhou Utek Composite Company Ltd. According to US authorities, the first company supplied Pakistan with materials used to connect components in ballistic missile engines and in the production of combustion chambers for such engines.

Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development Co Ltd. was accused in Washington of providing equipment that could be used to make solid rocket motors. Changzhou Utek Composite Company Ltd. was accused in the U.S. of supplying fiberglass, quartz fabric and silica used in rocket systems.

The State Department believes that these companies, through their activities, contributed to the dissemination of technologies for creating missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction.

Pakistan's nuclear program began in the 1970s, and the country conducted its first nuclear tests (five underground explosions) in 1998. Pakistan began developing nuclear weapons delivery systems in the 1980s. Since then, the country has developed several types of ballistic missiles, including the Hatf and Shaheen. Pakistan regularly tests them.