Posted on 03/01/2006 5:16:07 PM PST by strategofr
The Chinese government vetoed a U.S. proposal to reduce the threat against civilian airliners by man-portable surface-to-air missiles. The Chinese veto at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) comes at the same time two people and an unnamed Chinese general are being charged with attempting to smuggle Chinese-made surface-to-air missiles into the United States.
In Seoul, South Korea, the U.S. presented a proposal to the APEC Counter-Terrorism Task Force that asked members to carry out an assessment of at least one major airport within their country or territory to determine if planes using it are vulnerable to missiles.
The assessment was supposed to be completed by the end of 2006 using standards developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
China, in turn, tabled the proposal, effectively killing all further action to defend civilian airliners.
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"China objected to it so there was no consensus. It's a political and touchy issue," stated an official who attended the session who requested not to be identified.
Chinese Missiles Inside the U.S.
Meanwhile, two men were indicted in Los Angeles on charges of attempting to illegally import Chinese-made missiles into the United States. Chao Tung Wu, 51, of La Puente, Calif., and Yi Qing Chen, 41, of Rosemead, Calif., were charged with conspiracy to import Chinese-made surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
Bill Gertz in The Washington Times first reported the missile case on Oct. 26.
Law enforcement officials said Wu and Chen were caught in a sting developed out of the large-scale federal investigation in Los Angeles known as Smoking Dragon. Wu and Chen charged with conspiracy to import Chinese-made "Qianwei-2" anti-aircraft missiles and launchers. Economist Magazine Warns: 'Danger' Ahead for U.S. 4 Supplements Will Save Your Life! Men: Attract Women Now Gold: The 500% Solution
The conspiracy involved a deal between an undercover U.S. federal agent and Wu and Chen, along with officials at the Xinshidai Corporation, a Chinese state-owned weapons maker, and an un-named Chinese general.
Bribes and Payoffs
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the missile deal involved unindicted co-conspirators in China, forged papers from a foreign defense ministry, and illegal payoffs to the relative of a foreign president, who was not identified.
The missile deal used a third country to mask the weapons delivery by Xinshidai. The missiles were then to be shipped to the United States in containers identified as civilian machine parts. One alleged payment was determined to be a $2 million bribe to a foreign official to allow the unidentified country to transship the missiles.
The "Qianwei (Advance Guard)-2" missile is capable of destroying civilian airliners and military aircraft. According to the developers of this new missile, the "Qianwei-2" is the world's most effective one-man shoulder-launched ultra-low-altitude air defense missile, surpassing the U.S. "Stinger" and the French "Mistral" in performance.
Xinshidai PLA Inc.
U.S. law enforcement officials identified the missile manufacturer as the Xinshidai Group, a conglomerate of Chinese state-run manufacturers that is currently under sanction by the U.S. government for arms sales to Iran.
According to the Defense Intelligence Agency, Xinshidai is actually a state-owned arms maker controlled by the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
A 1994 report by Lt. Col. Dennis J. Blasko showed that the Chinese army unit COSTIND (Commission on Science Technology and Industry for National Defense) owns and operates the Xinshidai Group.
"COSTIND, too, has subordinate trading companies – China Xinshidai (New Era) Development Corporation, China Yuanwang (Group) Corporation, and the Galaxy New Technology Corporation," wrote Blasko.
COSTIND is a Chinese army unit that is responsible for the tremendous success of PLA espionage during the 1990s. COSTIND masquerades itself as a civilian agency, using many of its front companies such as Xinshidai, to gather intelligence and sell weapons.
However, a November 1997 report written for the Commerce Department by think-tank company SAIC, noted that COSTIND was neither civilian nor engaged in purely commercial activities.
"COSTIND supervises virtually all of China's military research, development and production. It is a military organization, staffed largely by active duty officers. ... COSTIND also coordinates certain activities with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), which produces, stores, and controls all fissile material for civilian as well as military applications. COSTIND approves licenses for the use of nuclear materials for military purposes."
PLA History
Nor is this the first time that Chinese agents have been caught trying to smuggle advanced weapons into the United States. In 1996, Norinco and Chinese army-owned Poly Technologies Corporation were both accused of attempting to sell fully automatic machine guns to U.S. gangsters.
Allegedly, Poly Tech's man in America, Robert Ma, conspired with Norinco representative Richard Chen to import 2,000 fully automatic AK-47s into the United States to Customs agents posing as Miami drug smugglers. Lu Yi Lun, described in court documents as Norinco's No. 2 official, was also charged in the case.
U.S. investigators say arms broker Hammond Ku, a key figure in the case, told undercover U.S. agents three times that China's government knew what was happening. According to the 100-page federal indictment from one of the key undercover agents, Chen and Ma had difficulty in getting the "barrels" because they required "higher-level permission."
The Customs officials added that the Chinese apparently believed the automatic rifles were going to U.S. street gangs. U.S. investigators also said company representatives tried to sell undercover U.S. agents rocket launchers, anti-aircraft missiles, machine guns and even tanks.
Act of War
China claims to be a partner in the global war on terrorism. Yet China clearly does not take that role. Instead, by vetoing attempts to protect airliners from attack and actively selling advanced missiles inside the U.S., China is showing that it supports global terrorism.
The deal to smuggle surface-to-air missiles for attacks inside the United States is clearly an open act of war against America. Chinese officials and at least one Chinese general were participants in an act of war against the U.S.
If the war on terror is to be taken seriously, the Bush administration and Congress must act. The Chinese government should immediately turn over all officials involved in this scheme to murder thousands of American civilians – or face the consequences of the full might of U.S. action.
Right off the top my first question is "where and how did the general plan to smuggle the missiles in at"?
Stinkin' chicom ping!
I am not surprised by this one bit. In retaliation we should arm the Tibetins ans Ughyers.
illegal payoffs to the relative of a foreign president, who was not identified.
And which "son of a foreign president" is now mentioned in association with sandy Berger???
I'm not really surprised, either. Act of war.
Indeed. I have always suspected that China is not on our side in the War on Terror. This and their support for Iran and Saddam prove that much.
They're developing a certain pattern around the world that is getting more clear. From the sudan to nigeria, to iran. They want everyone out but them.
Indeed. Venezuala and Cuba too.
The chinese believe in the 'death by a thousand cuts". Theyre playing for keeps, and theyre taking advantage of our complacency towards them.
Make no mistake. There are probably thousands of sleeper chinese agents in the US as we speak.
Realisticly China represents the greatest potential threat, while Iran is the most vocal in their threats.
Forget not our allies in the WoT. They want to be the premier power in the world. Theyre dangerous.
I cant undersand how this story isnt getting more coverage!!
Same here. They have been involved since 9/11. One of the most un-reported stories was the PLA supplying ammo to the Taliban. Discovered in 2001.
"They're developing a certain pattern around the world that is getting more clear. From the sudan to nigeria, to iran. They want everyone out but them."
I don't think they're quite that mean. For example, I think they get along quite well with the Russians.
"The chinese believe in the 'death by a thousand cuts". Theyre playing for keeps, and theyre taking advantage of our complacency towards them.
Make no mistake. There are probably thousands of sleeper chinese agents in the US as we speak."
In a sense, I believe the estimate of "thousands" is a small one. This is what I mean: I don't think there are any Chinese nationals inside the US without plenty of hostage family living back in China. Chinese intelligence can reach out to any one of these people anytime they want to, in my opinion.
"One of the most un-reported stories was the PLA supplying ammo to the Taliban."
Didn't meet the MSM standards for newsworthiness I guess.
"Realisticly China represents the greatest potential threat, while Iran is the most vocal in their threats."
Well, I don't disagree with your general line of thinking. But I would place Russia in the number one spot and bump each of your candidates down one notch.
Nope. To the MSM china is our bestist friend.
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