BIS Extends Temporary License for Sanctioned Chinese Firms

The Bureau of Industry and Security is again extending a temporary general license that maintains normal licensing requirements for exports, re-exports and in-country transfers to Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corporation and ZTE Kangxun, until March 29, BIS said (here). The temporary license was previously set to expire Feb. 27, after BIS three times extended the original deadline of June 30 (see 1606270013, 1608180009 and 1611170019). After announcing sanctions against ZTE, ZTE Kangxun and two affiliated firms on March 8, 2016, alleging the companies conspired to re-export controlled defense-related items to Iran contrary to U.S. law (see 1603070001), BIS on March 24 created the temporary license to restore the pre-sanction licensing and other policies of the Export Administration Regulations regarding exports, re-exports and transfers to the companies.