EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: MINGXIN TECHNOLOGY (HONG

UNCLAS HONG KONG 003088

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR 532/OEA/LHINES/JSONDERMAN
USDOC FOR 3132 FOR FCS/OIO REGIONAL DIRECTOR WILLIAM ZARIT
BICE FOR OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BMGT BEXP HK ETRD ETTC
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: MINGXIN TECHNOLOGY (HONG
KONG) CO

REF: A) USDOC 09934 B) D386643


1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided below is
prohibited by Section 12C of the Export Administration Act.


2. As per reftel A request and at the direction of the Office of
Enforcement Analysis (OEA) of the USDOC Bureau of Industry and
Security (BIS),Export Control Officer Philip Ankel (ECO),attempted
to conduct a pre-license check at Mingxin Technology (Hong Kong)
Co., MSH 2182, Room 1007, 10/F, Ho Kong Commercial Center, No 2-16
Fa Yuen St. Mongkok, Hong Kong (Mingxin). The purpose of the visit
was to determine the suitability of Mingxin to be the ultimate
consignee (but not end user) of various Husky brand diaphragm pumps
that are the subject of export license application D3386643. The
items (ECCN 2B350) are valued at USD $36,375 and are controlled for
chemical and biological weapons reasons (CB). The license applicant
is Graco, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota and the stated end-user of
the items is Ciba Specialty Chemicals of Nanjing, mainland China.


3. A Hong Kong Companies Registry check of Mingxin reveals that the
company has been in existence since 2003. Its paid up capital is
the Hong Kong equivalent of USD 1,200. Directors are listed as
mainland Chinese national Cai, Qian (passport number G03218234) and
Wu, Wutien of Taiwan (with passport number 132249850). Those
individuals are not listed as directors in any other companies in
Hong Kong.


4. Background research on the web reveals that several other
companies list Mingxin's address as their company address including
New Century Textile Decorating Co., Ltd. and Kai Shun (HK)
Enterprise Limited. The companies at this address appear to be
unrelated to Mingxin and are involved in unrelated businesses
(textiles, health food distribution, chemicals). Mingxin does not
have a web presence.


5. Another company with a very similar name has a web presence and
lists its address in Shenzhen, mainland China. This company, Min
Xin Technology (H.K.) Electronics Co. (with the same Chinese
characters for Min Xin as for Mingxin) is involved in the
electronics distribution business. According to its web site
(www.minxintechnology.com),this company is a famous leading
independent distributor in China, specializing in military and
obsolete parts. There is no reference to this company in the Hong
Kong Companies Registry database (notwithstanding the use of H.K. in
the company name).


6. On December 19, 2007, ECO, accompanied by Commercial Assistant
Carrie Chan attempted to visit Mingxin at the addressed listed
above. The telephone number listed in reftel A was actually in use
by a major bank in Hong Kong so ECO was unable to schedule an
appointment with Mingxin. A large commercial building is located at
the address and it is filled with the offices of smaller trading
companies. Room 1007 at the referenced address was vacant although
a large mailbox on the front door of the office contained mail.
According to security personnel at the front entrance of the
building, room 1007 has been vacant for some time although, from
time to time, someone comes to collect mail from the mailbox.

Cunningham