(S) CHINA URGED TO RECALL MISSILE-RELATED STEEL EN

S E C R E T BEIJING 006199 DEPT FOR ISN/MTR AND EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2032 TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL ETTC CH KS SY SUBJECT: (S) CHINA URGED TO RECALL MISSILE-RELATED STEEL EN ROUTE TO SYRIA REF: STATE 131595 Classified By: Political Regional Affairs Unit Chief Mark Tesone. Reas ons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (S) Poloff delivered retel message concerning China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation's efforts to supply Syria's Mechanical Construction Factory with missile-usable specialty steel to MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Missile Division Deputy Director Wang Daxue on September 19. ¶2. (S) Wang told Poloff that the steel is not controlled under China's export control laws and regulations and does not require a license for export. The steel could be intended for civilian use, such as the manufacture of vehicles, he said. Poloff stressed that the specialty steel being shipped can be used to produce missile parts and that the ultimate end-user is a Syrian agency responsible for ballistic missile development. Syria is a state sponsor of terrorism and its proliferation activities contribute to regional instability. He urged China to take immediate steps to recall the shipment. Wang agreed to pass the U.S. information to Chinese investigatory authorities and to share with us the results of the investigation. Randt NNNN End Cable Text