Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ06) - Statement in the House of Representatives “Concerns of Chinese Aid for Pakistani Ballistic Missile Program Still Unresolved”

Mr. Speaker, last month, disturbing reports surfaced that China is aiding Pakistan’s missile development program. In response to this very destabilizing situation, I wrote to President Clinton on July 5th urging that the Administration immediately impose sanctions on China.

I was encouraged to see that the Administration dispatched a top arms control official to Beijing to address the growing concerns about China’s proliferation activities. But the news out of the Chinese capital was not encouraging. John D. Holum, senior advisor to the Secretary of State on arms control, told the media that the U.S. has raised our concern that China has provided aid to Pakistan and other countries. According to an article in the Sunday, July 9, New York Times, Mr. Holum said, “We made progress, but the issue remains unresolved.” In the polite parlance of diplomacy, that is a clear indication that this issue continues to be a serious concern.

Mr. Speaker, the Central Intelligence Agency (the 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 of a new long-range missile that could carry nuclear weapons. This recent pattern of Chinese support for Pakistan’s missile development program is a matter of concern for the United States, and for the long-term stability of the entire Asian continent. It is also a matter of particularly urgent concern for India. China and Pakistan both consider India to be their major strategic threat, which is absurd, considering that India has been the victim of both Pakistani and Chinese aggression. 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. Mr. Speaker, I believe it’s time to get tough with Beijing.

To that end, I am drafting legislation, similar to a bipartisan bill that has been introduced in the Other Body (the Senate), that would require the Administration to monitor China’s record on the spread of nuclear weapons and impose automatic sanctions on companies or states if there is credible evidence of exports of missile technology. The legislation is moving through the Senate, and is part of the mix in the upcoming debate on extending Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to China. I believe this connection is very appropriate to make. We can’t afford to completely separate our commercial and security interests.

In my letter to President Clinton, urging that sanctions be imposed on China forthwith, I 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 my letter to the President, I 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, non-proliferation 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.”

I further stated in my letter, “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.” The latest news from our American envoy in Beijing only further confirms that this is the case.

I long been concerned, as have many of my colleagues in Congress, about transfers of technology by the People’s Republic of China that contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles that could deliver them. For example, in 1996, many of us 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, which it has not joined, and accession to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. But, the Director of Central Intelligence reports that the People’s Republic remains a “key supplier” of technology inconsistent with nonproliferation goals.

In closing, I want to stress again, Mr. Speaker, that the issue of favorable trade benefits to China cannot be de-linked from our concerns about nuclear and missile proliferation. 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 non-proliferation agreements.

I hope the Administration will give serious consideration to imposing sanctions on China. If not, there are those of us in Congress who are ready to mandate such sanctions through legislation.

CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE, JR. *Sixth District of New Jersey*

STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES “CONCERNS OF CHINESE AID FOR PAKISTANI BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAM STILL UNRESOLVED”
July 11, 2000

Mr. Speaker, last month, disturbing reports surfaced that China is aiding Pakistan’s missile development program. In response to this very destabilizing situation, I wrote to President Clinton on July 5th urging that the Administration immediately impose sanctions on China. I was encouraged to see that the Administration dispatched a top arms control official to Beijing to address the growing concerns about China’s proliferation activities. But the news out of the Chinese capital was not encouraging. John D. Holum, senior advisor to the Secretary of State on arms control, told the media that the U.S. has raised our concern that China has provided aid to Pakistan and other countries. According to an article in the Sunday, July 9, New York Times, Mr. Holum said, “We made progress, but the issue remains unresolved.” In the polite parlance of diplomacy, that is a clear indication that this issue continues to be a serious concern. Mr. Speaker, the Central Intelligence Agency (the 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 of a new long-range missile that could carry nuclear weapons. This recent pattern of Chinese support for Pakistan’s missile development program is a matter of concern for the United States, and for the long-term stability of the entire Asian continent. It is also a matter of particularly urgent concern for India. China and Pakistan both consider India to be their major strategic threat, which is absurd, considering that India has been the victim of both Pakistani and Chinese aggression. 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. Mr. Speaker, I believe it’s time to get tough with Beijing. To that end, I am drafting legislation, similar to a bipartisan bill that has been introduced in the Other Body (the Senate), that would require the Administration to monitor China’s record on the spread of nuclear weapons and impose automatic sanctions on companies or states if there is credible evidence of exports of missile technology. The legislation is moving through the Senate, and is part of the mix in the upcoming debate on extending Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to China. I believe this connection is very appropriate to make. We can’t afford to completely separate our commercial and security interests. In my letter to President Clinton, urging that sanctions be imposed on China forthwith, I 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 my letter to the President, I 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, non-proliferation 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.” I further stated in my letter, “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.” The latest news from our American envoy in Beijing only further confirms that this is the case. I long been concerned, as have many of my colleagues in Congress, about transfers of technology by the People’s Republic of China that contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles that could deliver them. For example, in 1996, many of us 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, which it has not joined, and accession to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. But, the Director of Central Intelligence reports that the People’s Republic remains a “key supplier” of technology inconsistent with nonproliferation goals. In closing, I want to stress again, Mr. Speaker, that the issue of favorable trade benefits to China cannot be de-linked from our concerns about nuclear and missile proliferation. 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 non-proliferation agreements. I hope the Administration will give serious consideration to imposing sanctions on China. If not, there are those of us in Congress who are ready to mandate such sanctions through legislation.

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