Congressional report reveals China’s continuing nuclear, missile proliferation

Chinese companies are continuing to sell nuclear weapons and missile-related systems and goods to Russia, North Korea and Iran, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

The Chinese government halted direct involvement in nuclear-related proliferation and transfers of complete missile systems, the report said.

“However, Chinese entities have continued to engage in proliferation, according to the U.S. government, which also has repeatedly expressed concerns with regard to weaknesses in China’s export control system,” the May 19 report stated.

A 2019 State Department report on arms control agreement compliance stated that China supplied missile systems and items to Iran, North Korea, Syria and Pakistan, and in 2023, U.S. requests for China to halt the missile transfers remained unresolved.

The 2024 and 2025 arms compliance reports dropped all mention of the Chinese missile proliferation activities.

The CRS report said separate State Department reports from 2024 and 2025, however, declared that Chinese companies and arms dealers “worked to supply technology and equipment that could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their missile delivery systems to programs of concern” to North Korea, Iran and Pakistan.

The State Department stated in April that Chinese companies are a major source of equipment, goods and technology for Iran’s ballistic missile program, which has been degraded sharply during the recent U.S. war.

Since 2024, the U.S. government has imposed sanctions on numerous Chinese companies and people for nuclear weapons and missile proliferation activities.

The sanctions include Treasury measures aimed at China’s missile support to Iran, and Commerce sanctions on a Chinese company linked to Pakistan’s nuclear programs.

China was notorious for its provision of nuclear weapons equipment and design support in the 1980s and 1990s, which led to Pakistan emerging as a nuclear missile power.

The CRS report quoted former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Vann Van Diepen as saying that even if the Chinese nuclear and missiles transfers are not directly state-sponsored, “China hasn’t devoted the priority, effort, or resources to thwart” the arms proliferation.

Mr. Van Diepen also said that “when that continues to be the case over 20 years … over time it becomes a choice.”

China is also helping Saudi Arabia develop uranium production, the report said.

In addition to equipment and systems, China’s proliferation activities include money laundering, the provision of illicit financial services, and entities in China that are engaged in illegitimate procurement.

Chinese entities and individuals have engaged in proliferation financing activities “for the benefit of” Iranian and North Korean weapons of mass destruction programs, according to a Treasury report mentioned by CRS.

China is also building five nuclear reactors in Pakistan that are prohibited under Beijing’s commitment to an agreement called the Nuclear Suppliers Group.