Insights break down a Kharon investigation and why it matters, in 3 minutes or less.
The U.S. sanctioned Zhejiang Qingji Ind. Co., Ltd (Zhejiang Qingji)—one of China's leading manufacturers and suppliers of centrifuges—in 2023 for selling several hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of centrifuges, equipment and services to a subsidiary of Iran’s Ministry of Defense that produced ammunition and propellants for rockets.
Zhejiang Qingji at the time wholly owned a subsidiary of its own called Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Both companies have longstanding research relationships with one of mainland China’s top industrial universities.
After its parent’s sanctions, Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge changed hands—though not completely, Kharon found. And it kept selling.
FLASHBACK: A previous Kharon investigation found that Zhejiang Qingji, beyond its sales to Iran’s military, has ties to the Chinese defense and military sector, including to U.S.-blacklisted entities involved in China’s nuclear program.
Both the sanctioned parent company and the non-sanctioned Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge have also worked extensively with Zhejiang University of Technology (ZJUT), which says it partners with “more than 50 universities” in the U.S., the U.K., the European Union, Russia, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
UPDATES: In January, the corporate record for Zhejiang Qingji listed “Liquidation Team Members,” suggesting the sanctioned entity will in short order be dissolved.
But its old subsidiary is continuing to operate—and to file and be granted patents—in China’s centrifuge sector. That same month, according to a bidding document, Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge provided centrifuge spare parts to North Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., a Chinese military end user ultimately linked back to a U.S.-listed Chinese military company.
THE OWNERSHIP CHANGE: Zhejiang Saipurida Technology Co., Ltd. was established in August 2024. Two months later, Kharon research found, it became the new direct owner of Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge, after Zhejiang Qingji transferred its ownership shares.
According to corporate records, 41 percent of Zhejiang Saipurida Technology’s ownership traces back to individuals who are still associated with Zhejiang Qingji.
THE MANAGEMENT NON-CHANGE: Zhejiang Saipurida Technology is managed and directed by Weida Zhang—who also serves as executive director, manager and legal representative for Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge and the sanctioned Zhejiang Qingji.
The U.S. sanctioned Zhejiang Qingji Ind. Co., Ltd (Zhejiang Qingji)—one of China's leading manufacturers and suppliers of centrifuges—in 2023 for selling several hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of centrifuges, equipment and services to a subsidiary of Iran’s Ministry of Defense that produced ammunition and propellants for rockets.
Zhejiang Qingji at the time wholly owned a subsidiary of its own called Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Both companies have longstanding research relationships with one of mainland China’s top industrial universities.
After its parent’s sanctions, Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge changed hands—though not completely, Kharon found. And it kept selling.
FLASHBACK: A previous Kharon investigation found that Zhejiang Qingji, beyond its sales to Iran’s military, has ties to the Chinese defense and military sector, including to U.S.-blacklisted entities involved in China’s nuclear program.
Both the sanctioned parent company and the non-sanctioned Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge have also worked extensively with Zhejiang University of Technology (ZJUT), which says it partners with “more than 50 universities” in the U.S., the U.K., the European Union, Russia, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
UPDATES: In January, the corporate record for Zhejiang Qingji listed “Liquidation Team Members,” suggesting the sanctioned entity will in short order be dissolved.
But its old subsidiary is continuing to operate—and to file and be granted patents—in China’s centrifuge sector. That same month, according to a bidding document, Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge provided centrifuge spare parts to North Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., a Chinese military end user ultimately linked back to a U.S.-listed Chinese military company.
THE OWNERSHIP CHANGE: Zhejiang Saipurida Technology Co., Ltd. was established in August 2024. Two months later, Kharon research found, it became the new direct owner of Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge, after Zhejiang Qingji transferred its ownership shares.
According to corporate records, 41 percent of Zhejiang Saipurida Technology’s ownership traces back to individuals who are still associated with Zhejiang Qingji.
THE MANAGEMENT NON-CHANGE: Zhejiang Saipurida Technology is managed and directed by Weida Zhang—who also serves as executive director, manager and legal representative for Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge and the sanctioned Zhejiang Qingji.
Kharon users can explore this Insight in greater detail through the ClearView platform.
INSIDE THE RESEARCH: Zhejiang Qingji’s partnership with ZJUT runs deep, including on the research and development of a two-stage pusher centrifuge whose completion they announced in 2013. A press release at the time said the technology had reached the “international advanced level.” Researchers from Zhejiang Qingji and ZJUT have also jointly published numerous studies on centrifugal separators and technology.
Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge, meanwhile, is more opaque. Its website says only that it has “carried out comprehensive cooperation” with ZJUT and Zhejiang University and that “on this basis a large number of new marketable products have been developed.” Its main product, of course, is centrifuges.
Zhejiang Qingji Centrifuge, meanwhile, is more opaque. Its website says only that it has “carried out comprehensive cooperation” with ZJUT and Zhejiang University and that “on this basis a large number of new marketable products have been developed.” Its main product, of course, is centrifuges.
Kharon users can explore this Insight in greater detail through the ClearView platform.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The sanctioned Zhejiang Qingji may soon be liquidated—but the centrifuge work, the partnerships and the risk-relevant activity of its former subsidiary have continued.
Read more from Kharon:
Read more from Kharon:
- US Adds 80 to BIS Entity List, Taking Sharp Aim at Chinese Tech Sectors
- A Tech Network Cut a Sanctioned Subsidiary Loose. But It Wasn’t the Only One Shipping to Russia.
- US Taking Aim at Iran’s Oil and Financial Networks, Seeking Maximum Pressure ‘Possible’
- US Customs Escalates Seizures of Chinese Automotive and Aerospace Shipments
