China will impose export restrictions on drones and drone equipment to "safeguard national security and interests," according to a statement made by the country's commerce ministry on Monday. This decision may have an impact on the situation in Ukraine.
The Need to Request Export Approval
Vendors will need to request approval to export specific drone engines, lasers, imaging, communications, and radar equipment due to the equipment restrictions. The restrictions, which go into effect on September 1, also apply to consumer-grade drones that meet particular requirements, as reported by CNN.
An unnamed ministry representative issued an internet statement banning the export of any civilian drones not covered by the regulations for military use.
As Moscow wages war on its neighbor, drones have become a more prevalent component of modern warfare, being used by both Russia and Ukraine.
During the conflict, civilian drones that could be modified or used for military purposes have also gained attention.
China has a substantial domestic drone manufacturing business and exports drones to many nations, including the United States.
China Denies Shipping Drones to Russia
A report created by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which claimed that as of March, China "had shipped more than $12 million in drones and drone parts" to Russia, was published last week. The report cited a "third-party analysis" of Russian customs data and stated that China had exported more than $12 million in drones and drone parts to Russia.
The paper headed "Support Provided by the People's Republic of China to Russia" and dated 2023, mostly bases its assertions on information from open sources and news coverage from Western media.
The report mentions shipments of "dual-use" equipment but does not say if the alleged drone shipments were utilized in combat.
Friday, a representative for China's Foreign Ministry denied the claim, stating that Beijing's collaboration with Moscow "does not target any third party."
In a statement released in April, the Commerce Ministry refuted claims that China was aiding Russia militarily by exporting drones to the front lines, labeling media reports of such behavior as "deliberate smears."
A spokeswoman stated that some Chinese civilian drone businesses had also "taken the initiative to suspend their operations in conflict areas" since the "crisis" in Ukraine started. This was due to China's limitations on specific drones, which barred them from being used for "non-peaceful purposes," the spokesperson added.
Chinese leaders have long been cautioned by Western officials not to financially back the Russian war. Beijing has maintained its diplomatic and financial backing for Moscow despite claiming neutrality in the war.
The measures also come amid high-tech export restrictions between the United States and China as a result of growing worries in Washington about the threat Beijing poses to its national security.
China claimed that its new policies, which were unveiled on Monday, do not target "any specific" nation. Henry Gao, a law professor at Singapore Management University, claims that the limitations are an addition to the drone export prohibitions Beijing has already put in place for the better part of the last 20 years.
US & China's Export Restrictions
The US implemented broad rules last year that prevent Chinese corporations from acquiring sophisticated semiconductors and chip-making machinery without a license.
Beijing implemented export restrictions on two components necessary for the production of semiconductors last month. The restrictions start on August 1.
In 2021, the US added DJI to a list of companies to avoid investing in because of allegations that the company assisted in the mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims and other racial and religious minorities in China's Xinjiang region.
The business was prohibited from acquiring American technology since it was already on the US Entity List. DJI vehemently denied doing anything to earn a spot on the list.
Following the ministry's announcement on Tuesday, DJI posted a statement to its website in which it declared that it had never created or marketed any technology for military use and that it would "actively cooperate" with the new export control regulations.
Related article: US Senators Seek to Ban Chinese Drones from US Skies
