US Sanctions 3 Chinese Firms For Supplying Missile Parts To Pakistan

The United States has imposed sanctions of four entities— three based in China and one in Belarus—for providing items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme. These entities have engaged in activities or transactions that have contributed to or risk contributing to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by Pakistan, the US State Department said.

The Companies include China-based Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited, Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd and Granpect Co. Ltd. Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant is a Belarusian firm. The State department also listed reasons for sanctioning each of these companies.

Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant
The company has worked to supply special vehicle chassis to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme. Such chassis are used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles by Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC). The NDC is responsible for development of Missile Technology Control Regime Category (MTCR) I ballistic missiles.

Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited
It has supplied missile-related equipment, including a filament winding machine, to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme. Filament winding machines can be used to produce rocket motor cases.

Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd
The firm has supplied missile-related equipment to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme, including stir welding equipment (which the United States assesses can be used to manufacture propellant tanks used in space launch vehicles) and a linear accelerator system (which the United States assesses can be used in the inspection of solid rocket motors). Tianjin Creative’s procurements were likely destined for Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), which develops and produces Pakistan’s MTCR Category I ballistic missiles.

Granpect Company Limited
It has worked with Pakistan’s SUPARCO to supply equipment for testing of large diameter rocket motors. In addition, Granpect Co. Ltd. also worked to supply equipment for testing large diameter rocket motors to Pakistan’s NDC.

Implications Of Sanctions
Properties of the designated entities that are in the United States or in possession or control of US persons have been blocked.

All individuals or entities that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons have also been blocked.

Transactions by US persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons have been prohibited.

The entry of designated individuals into the United States has been suspended.