China Announces Restrictions on Drone Exports Following Putin and Xi Jinping Talks in Kazan
Beijing intends to restrict the supply of military products abroad, including drones. This was announced by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Thursday, the day the BRICS summit ended in Kazan, where Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. At a specially convened press conference, the official representative of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce He Yandong recalled that from December 1, the authorities will introduce a new export control system, under which drone sales will be possible only with a license from the government.
“Since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis, China has introduced drone controls several times and has made it clear that civilian drones should not be illegally used for military purposes,” CNBC quotes He Yandong as saying. The official added that the Chinese authorities intend to tighten the licensing practices and strengthen inspections to prevent “illegal exports.” Under the new rules, exporters will have to disclose the final recipients of UAVs or their components.
According to the US, China supplies Russia with engines and components for the production of Harpy attack drones, which has been underway since 2023. In October, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on two Chinese companies involved in the project. The statements by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce “clearly signal that the PRC leadership is sensitive to criticism from the West,” which accuses Beijing of “keeping the Russian economy afloat,” notes Teneo Managing Director Gabriel Wildau. He adds that Beijing has sent another signal to Moscow that its support is not unlimited.
It should be noted however that the export controls are not only applicable to russia and could also affect exports of dual-use goods destined for Ukraine.
The new regulations put in place a permit system for the export of dual use goods and create a list of restricted goods. Exporters of such goods will have to disclose the ultimate user and the intended use of the exported goods.
