Conversions of jetliners in China draw attention

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The Bush administration is investigating whether China illegally converted Boeing commercial jetliners into a military surveillance aircraft in violation of U.S. export laws.

A Boeing 737 jetliner was photographed during a recent military exposition in Zhuhai, China, with what appeared to be a protruding radar dome, or "radome," on the forward part of its fuselage. Authorities also are investigating a second photograph suggesting the modification of another jetliner.

"We have already begun looking into this matter," said Eugene Cottilli, a spokesman for the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security.

If the Chinese modifications violate U.S. export rules, penalties could range from fines to the imposition of economic sanctions on China that would bar purchases of U.S. aircraft worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The radome is thought to house a special radar pod that monitors missile tests or might be used in military command and control operations, Bush administration officials said.

A State Department official involved in defense trade controls confirmed that the matter is under investigation. The official said commercial jets are permitted for export to China without a license, but that converting a civilian aircraft into a military jet is not allowed under U.S. export rules.

"It is unquestionably true that these jets could not have been sold to the Chinese military without a presidential waiver, which is very unlikely," the official said.

In the case of China, all military sales have been blocked and any transfers require a presidential waiver of sanctions imposed after the 1989 military crackdown on unarmed protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, the official said.

Investigators have contacted Boeing and are trying to further identify the modified jets shown in photographs through tail numbers.

A Boeing spokesman had no immediate comment. A Chinese Embassy spokesman could not be reached for comment.