US slaps sanctions on Chinese, DPRK firms for arms sales to Iran

The punitive measures, announced by the State Department, were imposed on the final day of a visit here by a senior Chinese diplomat, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had been meeting with US officials to discuss North Korea and more general non-proliferation issues.

Department officials said the sanctions had not been discussed with Wang during their meetings but that China had been informed of them "through diplomatic channels" last week.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

"The penalties were imposed... for the transfer to Iran in the first half of 2002 of equipment and technology listed on multilateral export control lists or otherwise having the potential to make a material contribution to weapons of mass destruction or missiles," spokesman Richard Boucher said.

The sanctions are provided for in the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000. Some 15 entities from a number of countries are now subject to US sanctions under that act, Boucher said.

The exact nature of the items sold was not disclosed.

The penalties have been imposed against the Taian Foreign Trade General Corporation of China, the Zibo Chemical Equipment Plant of China, the Liyang Yunlong Chemical Equipment Group Company of China, China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) and the China Precision Machinery Import/Export Corporation (CPMIEC).

The North Korean firm was identified as the Changgwang Sinyong Corporation.