DATE=11/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241787
TITLE=CHINA / SATELLITE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

 INTRO:  CHINESE AEROSPACE OFFICIALS DENY U-S CONGRESSIONAL 
CHARGES THAT CHINA OBTAINED SENSITIVE SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY FROM 
U-S FIRMS. AS VOA'S STEPHANIE HO REPORTS FROM BEIJING, THE 
CHINESE OFFICIALS URGED WASHINGTON TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR RESUMING 
NORMAL COMMERCIAL TIES IN THE AEROSPACE SECTOR.

TEXT:  U-S LAWMAKERS ARE CONDUCTING SEVERAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO 
WHETHER U-S FIRMS ILLEGALLY TRANSFERRED SENSITIVE MISSILE 
TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA.

MOST OF THE ATTENTION HAS FOCUSED ON HUGHES ELECTRONICS 
CORPORATION AND LORAL SPACE COMMUNICATIONS.  BOTH U-S COMPANIES 
ARE CHARGED WITH PROVIDING CHINA WITH DATA THAT COMPROMISES U-S 
SECURITY. 

BOTH COMPANIES HAVE DENIED ANY WRONGDOING, AND BEIJING HAS  
REPEATEDLY CHARACTERIZED THE ACCUSATIONS AS GROUNDLESS AND 
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

THE STATE-RUN CHINA DAILY NEWSPAPER TUESDAY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF A 
MAJOR AEROSPACE FAIR IN SOUTHERN CHINA TO REPEAT THOSE DENIALS.  
THE DIRECTOR OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE CHINA AEROSPACE 
CORPORATION, XU FUXIANG, IS QUOTED AS SAYING CHINA HAS IN NO WAY 
RECEIVED ANY SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY FROM ITS U-S COUNTERPARTS.

THE CHINA AEROSPACE CORPORATION VICE-PRESIDENT, WANG LIHENG, IS 
QUOTED AS EXPRESSING HOPE THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL CONCLUDE 
INVESTIGATIONS  INTO THESE MATTERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  MR. WANG
SAID HE HOPES THE RESULTS WILL BENEFIT U-S SATELLITE 
MANUFACTURERS AND OPERATORS, AS WELL AS CHINESE LAUNCH SERVICE 
PROVIDERS.

A CHINESE LONG MARCH ROCKET CARRYING A LORAL SATELLITE EXPLODED 
IN 1996 AND ANOTHER ONE CARRYING A HUGHES SATELLITE CRASHED IN 
1995. FOLLOWING THESE TWO LAUNCH FAILURES, THE CHINESE AEROSPACE 
INDUSTRY WORKED TO IMPROVE THE RELIABILITY OF ITS ROCKETS.

CHINA IS PROMOTING ITSELF AS A LESS-EXPENSIVE SATELLITE LAUNCHING
ALTERNATIVE TO THE UNITED STATES OR EUROPE.  SO FAR, LONG MARCH 
ROCKETS HAVE  LAUNCHED 23 COMMERCIAL SATELLITES INTO SPACE FOR 
FOREIGN CUSTOMERS.

CHINA AEROSPACE CORPORATION OFFICIALS ARE QUOTED AS SAYING SIX 
MORE LAUNCHES -- INCLUDING THREE COMMERCIAL ONES -- ARE SCHEDULED
FOR THE NEXT YEAR.  (SIGNED)

NEB/HO/FC

17-Nov-98 5:01 AM EST (1001 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.