Credit: Reuters
BEIJING, July 31 (Reuters) – Amid rising friction with the United States over access to technology, China on Monday placed export bans on select drones and drone-related equipment, claiming it sought to protect “national security and interests”
The equipment bans, which include some drone engines, lasers, communication devices, and anti-drone systems, will go into force on September 1st, according to the trade ministry.
A ministry official stated in a statement that no civilian drones can be shipped for military use and that the regulations also apply to some consumer drones.
“China’s modest expansion of the scope of its drone control this time is an important measure to demonstrate our stance as a responsible major country, to implement global security initiatives, and maintain world peace,” the unidentified spokesperson said.
Authorities had notified relevant countries and regions, the spokesperson said.
China has a large drone manufacturing industry and exports to several markets, including the United States.
The Department of Defense and Commerce Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Congress in 2019 banned the Pentagon from buying or using drones and components manufactured in China.
U.S. lawmakers have said that more than 50% of drones sold in the U.S. are made by Chinese-based company DJI, and they are the most popular drone used by public safety agencies.
DJI said on Monday it always strictly complied with and enforced laws and regulations of the countries or regions in which it operates, including China’s export control regulatory requirements.
“We have never designed and manufactured products and equipment for military use, nor have we ever marketed or sold our products for use in military conflicts or wars in any country,” the drone maker added.
A German retailer in March 2022 accused DJI of leaking data on Ukrainian military positions to Russia, which the company rejected as “utterly false”.
China’s commerce ministry said in April this year that U.S. and Western media were spreading “unfounded accusations” that it was exporting drones to the battlefield in Ukraine, adding the reports were an attempt to “smear” Chinese firms and it would continue to strengthen export controls on drones.
The restrictions on drone exports follow China’s last month announcement of export bans on a number of metals extensively used in chip manufacturing, which came in response to American efforts to limit China’s access to critical technology like chip manufacturing machinery.
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