CGWIC Denies the Allegations that Lockheed Martin Provided Launch Vehicle Technology to China

A GCWIC spokesman issued a statement on April 9, 2000, denying allegations that launch vehicle technical assistance has been provided by Lockheed-Martin to China as reported in the U.S. media. The spokesman explained that CGWIC and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co., Ltd. signed a launch services contract on March 2, 1993 to use a LM-2E launch vehicle to launch a Lockheed Martin-built AsiaSat-2 satellite into low earth orbit, as well as a purchase agreement for a Earth Perigee Kick Motor (EPKM). Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co., Ltd.’s selected the LM-2E launch vehicle for the AsiaSat-2 launch because of the Chinese space industry over 40-years' experience in the successful development of a range of launch vehicles, its mastery of mature liquid and solid motor technologies and its manufacturing skills for a range of solid motors with similar specifications. We hereby firmly assert that China developed the satellite perigee kick motor entirely relying on its own efforts. At no point has CGWIC acquired any technical assistance in this regard from Lockheed Martin or any other party.