On Thursday, the US State Department placed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and multiple businesses that it claimed were providing supplies to Pakistan for its ballistic missile program.

In October 2023, Washington imposed sanctions on three Chinese businesses that were supplying Pakistan with components that may be used for missiles.

The Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry collaborated with Pakistan to acquire equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems, as well as possibly for larger systems, according to a statement released by the department’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller.

According to Miller, the sanctions also targeted Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment, a Chinese national, and the Chinese companies Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co., Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co. for willfully transferring equipment that was restricted by missile technology.

“As today’s actions demonstrate, the United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur,” Miller stated.

Speaking on behalf of China’s embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu stated: “China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization from the UN Security Council.”

According to Liu, China will “firmly protect” the rights and interests of Chinese people and businesses.

A request for response was not immediately answered by Pakistan’s embassy.

Additionally, the United States imposed restrictions on three Chinese businesses last year, alleging they supplied parts for Pakistan’s ballistic missile development that were relevant to missiles. Changzhou Utek Composite Company Ltd., Beijing Luo Luo Technology Development Co Ltd., and General Technology Limited were named as the companies in a State Department announcement.

The US claimed that Beijing Luo Luo had worked to supply mandrels and other machinery that can be used in the production of solid-propellant rocket motors, while General Technology had worked to supply brazing materials used to join components in ballistic missile rocket engines and in the production of combustion chambers.

According to the statement, Changzhou Utek Composite, the third company, has been working since 2019 to supply D-glass fiber, quartz fabric, and high silica cloth, all of which have uses in missile systems.

“Today’s actions demonstrate that the United States will continue to act against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery, and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur,” the statement read at the time.