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| China has declared the existence
of former chemical weapons (CW) production and weaponization facilities,
though not of a CW stockpile. It has steadfastly denied the existence
of a biological weapons (BW) program, though international intelligence
sources have found evidence to contradict the Chinese claim.
Chemical Weapons: Over the past decade, China has been the leading supplier of CW to Pakistan and Iran, prompting the United States to impose unilateral sanctions on 7 Chinese entities in 1997. Recent developments however suggest that China is actively seeking to reign in on weapons proliferation and to abide by international standards regarding CW. In 1997, China created a separate division within the Ministry to Foreign Affairs to deal with arms control and proliferation issues. China ratified the CWC on 25 April 1997, the same day as the United States. Since then China has declared the existence of former CW production facilities, but not of a CW stockpile. According to 1997 DoD reports, the Chinese arsenal then consisted of "the full range of traditional agents" with research being done into more advance weaponry. In addition to chemical agent, the Chinese also possessed an advance delivery capability with tube artillery, rockets, mortars and aerial bombs as well as more basic landmines and aerosol sprays. What has become of the Chinese stockpile is unclear, though according to a Stimson Center report on the CWC, the Chinese are suspected of having destroyed their CW stockpile in preparation for ratifying the CWC. Biolgical Weapons: China claims not to possess a BW stockpile, nor to be engaged in BW research, though independent intelligence indicates that Chinese BW research is being conducted at 2 ostensibly civilian research facilities known to be under de facto military control. Though China acceded to the BWC in 1984, it is believed ton have continued and in fact greatly expanded it BW program after that date. Last updated on 7/29/99 by Laura Beers, research
assistant.
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