In a significant move affecting international trade dynamics, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced on Tuesday a tightening of export controls over certain dual-use items to the United States. The decision, effective immediately, aims to safeguard China's national security and interests while fulfilling international non-proliferation obligations.
According to the MOC's statement, the export of dual-use items to U.S. military users or for military purposes is now prohibited. This includes stricter measures on items related to gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials. Specifically, the export of these items to the United States is, in principle, not permitted. Additionally, exports of the dual-use item of graphite will undergo more rigorous examinations concerning end-users and end-use purposes before approval.
The MOC emphasized that any organization or individual, regardless of their country or region, who transfers or provides these dual-use items originating in China to the United States in violation of these regulations will be held legally responsible.
Dual-use items refer to goods, technologies, and services that can be used for both civilian and military applications, particularly those contributing to the design, development, production, or use of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.
An MOC spokesperson explained that the decision aligns with Chinese laws, including the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China. The spokesperson highlighted that in recent years, the United States has "overstretched the concept of national security," politicizing and weaponizing economic and technological issues. The U.S. has imposed export restrictions on certain products to China and placed numerous Chinese companies on sanctions lists, actions the spokesperson said are intended to suppress and contain China's development.
"These practices by the United States seriously undermine international trade rules, infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, and destabilize global industrial and supply chains," the spokesperson stated.
Despite these tensions, the Chinese government reiterated its commitment to promoting high-standard opening up and opposing any erroneous generalization of national security concepts. The spokesperson expressed China's readiness to strengthen dialogue on export control with relevant countries and regions to jointly promote the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.
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China tightens control over exports of dual-use items to U.S.
cgtn.com
