Sanctioned Chinese Firm Has Ties to University, Military End-Users, Kharon Says
A sanctioned Chinese supplier of centrifuges to Iran has ties to Chinese military end-users, defense firms and universities, including some that aren’t subject to U.S. trade restrictions, compliance risk advisory firm Kharon said Aug. 24. Kharon said Zhejiang Qingji Ind. Co.’s previously unreported connections highlight the foreign influence risks faced by universities, including in the U.S.
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The Treasury Department sanctioned the company in June for selling hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of centrifuges and other equipment and services to Iran (see 2306060043). Karon said Zhejiang Qingji also has partnered with Chinese academic institutions, including the Zhejiang University of Technology, to publish “numerous studies” and develop a “two-stage pusher centrifuge” that was completed in 2013.
Kharon said Zhejiang University, which is not sanctioned or listed on the Commerce Department’s Entity List, has partnerships with more than 50 institutions across the world, including universities in the U.S., U.K., Japan, South Korea and Germany. Kharon said the university, as of June, also is partnering with Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge Manufacturing Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Qingji, to develop “new marketable products,” according to the company’s website.
Kharon also said Zhejiang Qingji is linked to Chinese firm Hangcha Group Co., which is also not sanctioned by the U.S. Yan Hao, one of Zhejiang Qingji’s directors, holds an “executive managerial position” at Hangcha, Kharon said, adding that the two companies also share an owner. Hangcha’s Chinese military customers include the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, the Equipment Development Department and Central Military Commission Logistic Support Department.