Norinco

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Norinco is a diversified Chinese government owned company which it states "has been ranked among the forefront of China’s 500 largest state-owned enterprises in terms of total assets and revenue". (The company's official name is China North Industries Corporation but it uses Norinco as its official English name).[1] NORINCO is best known as an arms manufacturer and supplier but has also diversified into engineering contracting and other industry sectors.

On its website the company states that it "deals with defense products, petroleum & mineral resources development, international engineering contracting, optronic products, civilian explosives & chemical products, sports arms & equipment, vehicles and logistics operation, etc."[1]

History

According to the congressional testimony of Gary Milhollin of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control in 1997, Norinco was established in 1980 with the approval of the State Council of China, and is overseen by the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND).[2]

Norinco and coal

A 2011 report by the Pa’O Youth Organisation reported that the Kalewa power station, a proposed 600 megawatt power station is under construction by China Guodian Corporation and Tun Thwin Mining Co., Ltd. The power is proposed to be sold to the Monywa Copper Project which is operated by Norinco.[3] The output from the Monywa mine will go to China, with a statement in 2009 on the Norinco website saying that the deal would "enhance the influence of our country in Myanmar [Burma]". The article also noted that a similar agreement will also allow China’s Taiyuan Iron and Steel (Group) Company, the largest steel manufacturer in the world, to mine the Sagaing division for nickel.[4]

Contact details

Website: http://www.norinco.com.cn/c1024/index.html

Articles and resources

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Introduction", Norinco website, accessed May 2011.
  2. Gary Milhollin, Professor, University of Wisconsin Law School and Director, Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Prepared Testimony of Gary Milhollin", May 6, 1997.
  3. Pa’O Youth Organisation, Poison Clouds: Lessons from Burma’s largest coal project at Tigyit, Pa’O Youth Organisation, January 2011. (Pdf)
  4. Francis Wade, "Shouldering China’s toxic burden" Democratic Voice of Burma, March 23, 2011.

Related SourceWatch articles

External resources

External articles

Wikipedia also has an article on Norinco. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the GFDL.