US imposes sanctions on China companies

The Bush administration has imposed new sanctions against seven Chinese companies, as well as two firms from Taiwan and North Korea, accusing them of helping Iran's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. According to a US State Department notice the nine companies were being penalized for transferring to Iran "equipment and technology controlled under multilateral export control lists." Rejecting the accusations, a spokesman for the foreign ministry in Beijing said Washington had "wantonly launched sanctions against Chinese companies without any evidence." According to the New York Times the Chinese companies involved include China Great Wall Industry Corp and China North Industry Corp — both of which have faced similar US sanctions in the past — as well as China Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp.