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- The secrets improved China's missile technology.
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- The American aerospace group, Lockheed Martin, has agreed
to pay the United States government $13m in settlement for passing secret
satellite technology to China. The company agreed to pay the multi-million
dollar fine after it was charged with violating the arms export control
act.
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- The secrets were allegedly passed to a Hong Kong-based
company, Asiasat, in which the major shareholder was the Chinese government.
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- According to the United States state department, the
information given to Asiasat may have helped China improve its missiles.
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- In April, Lockheed Martin was charged with 30 violations
of the arms export control act. At issue are crucial components of satellites
called 'kick-motors', which fire after launch to place the satellite in
its final orbit.
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- In 1994, Asiasat had sought help from a firm, later bought
by Lockheed, because it was having problems with its kick-motors.
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- Illegal visit
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- At the time, the majority share in Asiasat was owned
by the Chinese government. The state department said that technicians were
illegally sent to visit a rocket manufacturing facility in China.
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- They helped Asiasat by identifying flaws in its kick-motors
and making recommendations to improve them. Asiasat was also passed secret
details of the American version of the motors.
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- Lockheed has neither admitted, nor denied, the violations,
but has now agreed to pay a fine of $8m and spend a further $5m improving
the company's security procedures.
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- It's thought to be one of the largest penalties ever
imposed under arms control regulations.
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