WASHINGTON—The State Department, responding to alleged transfer of sensitive missile technology from China to Pakistan, said it will not issue licenses to U.S. firms that want to launch satellites on Chinese rockets. The economic sanctions come after the Bush administration and Beijing officials failed to resolve differences over the technology transfer issue last week.
Last fall, China vowed to cease sales of missile technology that can aid nuclear arms development by ‘rogue states.’ The State Department declined to identify which American firms are awaiting satellite export license approval.
The Federal Communications Commission recently issued eight additional mobile satellite licenses. Meanwhile, the Senate today continued debate on legislation that would relax export restrictions on dual-use technologies that have commercial and military applications and increases fines for violations. The Bush administration supports the bill.
