including in component parts. Similarly, government contractors—particularly those working on contracts for sensitive U.S. programs—should exclude ZTE or Huawei equipment in their systems. . (11) The Federal Bureau of Investigation, in a February 2015 Counterintelligence Strategy Partnership Intelligence Note stated that, Chinese Government-supported telecommunications equipment on U.S. networks may be exploited through Chinese cyber activity, with China’s intelligence services operating as an advanced persistent threat to U.S. networks. . 3. Prohibition on modification of civil penalties under export control and sanctions laws with respect to Chinese telecommunication companies (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President may not modify any civil penalties, including denial orders, implemented by the Government of the United States with respect to a Chinese telecommunication company pursuant to a determination that the company has violated an export control or sanctions law of the United States until the date that is 30 days after the President certifies to the appropriate committees of Congress that— (1) the company— (A) is fully cooperating with investigations conducted by the Government of the United States, if any, of activities relating to the violation of the export control or sanctions law of the United States