A Defense Intelligence Agency report from June stated that China supplied accelerometers, gyroscopes and special high-tech machinery to North Korean missile manufacturers. A report from November 1998 that China provided specialty steel used in missile frames to North Korea. The transfer prompted a diplomatic note of protest from the State Department that month. A special House committee that investigated North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile programs examined suspected cooperation between China and North Korea on developing small nuclear warheads for use on missiles. A House national security aide said the links between China and North Korea on weapons technology are close and it is likely the Chinese have allowed the North Koreans to have warhead data.
China is known to have supplied nuclear warhead design information to Pakistan years ago.
An Oct. 19 Pentagon intelligence report stated that North Korea is continuing to develop its long-range Taepo Dong missile that was first tested in August 1998. Spy agencies believe the single test is enough for the North Koreans to use the missile in a crisis. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright said in July she was worried about the Chinese missile transfers to North Korea. U.S. law requires the government to impose economic and other sanctions on foreign governments and businesses that violate anti-proliferation statutes. North Korean and Pakistani firms were sanctioned last year for missile activities.