US media reports: China helps Saudi Arabia produce ballistic missiles, the Biden government considers sanctions

On February 21, 2019, before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Beijing, the national flags of Saudi Arabia and China were hung in front of Tiananmen Square.

WASHINGTON— 

According to US media quoted intelligence officials and analysis agencies, Saudi Arabia imported ballistic missile technology from China and produced ballistic missiles with the help of China. According to reports, the Biden administration of the United States is considering sanctions against relevant Chinese organizations, but it may not sanction Saudi Arabia.

According to a report by CNN on December 23, Saudi Arabia had previously imported ballistic missiles from China, but only recently began manufacturing. According to the report, satellite images showed a site used to manufacture ballistic missiles.

According to reports, officials from the White House National Security Council and other US government officials have listened to confidential briefings on China’s multiple large-scale exports of sensitive ballistic missile technology to Saudi Arabia in recent months.

The Wall Street Journal reported that a Saudi source and an official familiar with US intelligence revealed that the Saudi government sought help from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force. The PLA Rocket Force is the missile force of the Chinese military. According to reports, the China-Saudi Arabia dialogue has progressed to the stage where Saudi Arabia actually obtains hardware from the Chinese military.

A statement provided to CNN by a spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that China and Saudi Arabia are "comprehensive strategic partners" and "maintain friendly cooperation"  intelligence agencies learned about cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China in advancing Saudi ballistic missile projects.

Officials familiar with US intelligence told the Wall Street Journal that the United States is preparing to sanction the participants in the Chinese operation for the transfer of missile technology, but it will not sanction Saudi officials or institutions.

CNN said that the US Biden administration is preparing to impose sanctions on organizations related to the transfer of ballistic missile technology between China and Saudi Arabia, but members of the US Congress worry that the White House may not allow Saudi Arabia to bear important consequences for its actions.

Satellite images obtained by CNN show that Saudi Arabia has built ballistic missiles at a site previously assisted by China. Experts and sources who analyzed the photos confirmed that these photos and sources reflect progress consistent with the latest U.S. intelligence assessment.

Satellite photos taken by the commercial imaging company Planet between October 26 and November 9 showed that a facility near Duwadami in Saudi Arabia conducted a “burning operation”. Researchers at the Middlebury School of International Studies in California, USA, said that this is "the first evidence that clearly shows that the facility is producing missiles."

However, little is known about the range and payload of the ballistic missile built by Saudi Arabia at the base.

 Iran previously requested that other ballistic missile projects in the region should also be included in the negotiations, especially the Israeli project.

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