Number: 97-476 Title: LONG BEACH: PROPOSED LEASE BY CHINA OCEAN SHIPPING COMPANY (COSCO) AT FORMER NAVAL BASE Authors: Shirley A. Kan, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division Abstract: At issue is a proposal by the City of Long Beach, California, to lease a terminal, to be built at property occupied by a closed naval station, to China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO). COSCO is a commercial shipping company owned by China. Issues raised concern smuggling of guns by Chinese defense-related companies, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, intelligence collection, and access to U.S. and Panamanian ports. In response, senior Clinton Administration officials wrote that COSCO's use of a terminal to be built on former Naval property would not adversely affect national security. The Navy will be transferring its closed facilities to Long Beach in 1999 and 2000. Pages: 6 Date: Updated August 11, 1999