The U.S. State Department on Thursday announced sanctions against a Chinese research institute and several companies for their involvement in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.
In a statement, Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry provided Pakistan with equipment to test rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel missile systems.
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The institute may have also supplied items for larger systems. Sanctions were also placed on three China-based firms—Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co—as well as a Pakistan-based company, Innovative Equipment.
A Chinese national was also sanctioned for transferring restricted missile technology. Miller emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to addressing missile technology proliferation worldwide.
China’s embassy in Washington responded by rejecting the sanctions. Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu stated that China opposes any unilateral sanctions that are not authorized by the United Nations, adding that the country will protect its companies and citizens’ rights.
This is the second time Washington has sanctioned Chinese firms for their role in Pakistan’s missile program, following similar actions in October 2023.
