US sanctions Chinese firm over weapons sales

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2004

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US government ordered sanctions against a Chinese firm accused of trafficking material and technical expertise that could be used for weapons of mass destruction, the State Department said.

Xinshidai, which markets equipment for many of the top Chinese state owned firms "provided material assistance to a country for programmes capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction," said an official speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official would not name the country which bought the equipment.

Under the order the United States will ban imports of Xinshidai goods, contracts with the firm and the giving of any kind of US assistance to the Chinese firm, the State Department's bureau of non-proliferation said.

The official said...