In response to a July 3 press query, the State Department listed the five Chinese companies and one North Korean firm that have been sanctioned by the U.S. for violations of the Iran Nonproliferation Act and other missile nonproliferation laws.

Iran Nonproliferation Act Sanctions

QUESTION: Were any of these companies (the six entities) ever before sanctioned under a provision of the Iran Nonproliferation Act?

Answer: The U.S. imposed penalties on five Chinese entities -- Taian Foreign Trade General Corporation, Zibo Chemical Equipment Plant, Liyang Yunlong Chemical Equipment Group Company, China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), and China Precision Machinery Import/Export Corporation (CPMIEC) -- and one North Korean entity -- Changgwang Sinyong Corporation.

This is the first time penalties have been imposed on Taian Foreign Trade General Corporation.

However, all other entities have been sanctioned previously pursuant to the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 or other sanctions laws as follows:

-- Zibo Chemical Equipment -- previously sanctioned under the Iran Nonproliferation Act in May 2002.

-- Liyang Yunlong Chemical Equipment Group Company -- previously sanctioned under the Iran Nonproliferation Act in January 2002 and May 2002.

-- CPMIEC -- previously sanctioned under the Iran Nonproliferation Act in May 2002 and the missile sanctions law in 1991.

-- NORINCO -- previously sanctioned under Executive Order 12938, as amended, in May 2003.

-- Changgwang Sinyong Corporation -- previously sanctioned under the Iran Nonproliferation Act in January 2002 and May 2002 and the missile sanctions law in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2003.