[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 145 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CHINESE PROLIFERATION THREAT

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as China's economic might has grown 
over the past 30 years, so too has its military prowess. And while many 
are concerned about China's aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, 
we must not forget about the threat they pose to nuclear security.
  Since 1987 China has increased its military expenditures fivefold. 
Their military muscle includes upwards of 260 nuclear warheads and 
roughly 60 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), 
not to mention an upgraded ballistic missile delivery system. China may 
have joined the IAEA and be party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, but 
actions speak louder than words and China has a history of supplying 
nuclear technology to countries of proliferation concern.
  We know that in the past China handed over design instructions, 
including information on warhead design, and fissile material to assist 
the Pakistanis in the development of their nuclear weapons. Even more 
recently it was discovered that Pakistan has a new 2,750km range 
Shaheen III nuclear ballistic missile that was carried on a 16-wheel 
transporter erector launcher or TEL for short. Pakistan's Shaheen III 
TEL is uncannily similar to the ones created by the China Aerospace 
Science and Industry Corporation and a Chinese provided TEL to North 
Korea's new KN-08 ICBM. If Pakistan's new TEL was acquired from China 
this demonstrates a highly concerning level of cooperation between the 
two governments that could directly threaten U.S. national security. 
Pakistan alone is a dangerous bedfellow, but if China has thrown its 
weight behind the government in Islamabad we need to remain on high 
alert for exchanges of sensitive nuclear information.
  To compound this threat to nuclear nonproliferation, China's most 
infamous client and partner in Communism is its neighbor to the east, 
North Korea. Pyongyang is estimated to have enough plutonium for a 
dozen nuclear weapons, and it is thought to be continuously producing 
highly enriched uranium. North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests 
and numerous test-fires of ballistic missiles, including 
intercontinental and submarine-launched missiles. The missile launchers 
used in these tests were made directly from Chinese designs.
  In the aftermath of North Korea's belligerent actions, China never 
fails to articulate its ``disappointment'' in its neighbor. But this 
connection between North Korea's nuclear missile capability and the 
Chinese government shows that what China says publically is 
fundamentally at odds with its real goals. China never backs up this 
``disappointment'' with real action knowing full well that China is the 
only country that wields any sort of influence over the DPRK. China 
refuses to stringently enforce sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's 
nuclear program and since China accounts for 70 percent of North 
Korea's trade volume, these sanctions have little impact without 
Beijing's enforcement. When it comes down to it, the Chinese government 
is essentially allowing a dangerous nuclear state to conduct tests 
unchecked.
  China's danger to the nuclear nonproliferation regime cannot go 
unnoticed. Given China's emerging military power, we must be even more 
wary of China's actions in the nuclear field. For the sake of our 
national security we cannot afford to have the state-run communist 
country pull the wool over our eyes.
  And that's just the way it is.

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