China Overhauls Export Controls on Military and Civilian Technologies, Aiming for Tighter Security and Unification of Rules

Experts indicate that China has strategically enhanced restrictions on exports that impact both military and civilian sectors. The State Council has sanctioned a new regulation aimed at consolidating the previously inconsistent and flawed regulations concerning sensitive dual-use technologies and minerals.

No specific information was disclosed about the guidelines endorsed last week by the State Council for overseeing the export of dual-use items. However, in April 2022, the Ministry of Commerce had published a preliminary version of these regulations to solicit public input.

Based on the proposed regulation, the 2020 export control legislation requires enhancements and a comprehensive framework should be established to rectify the "disjointed and flawed" rules governing the export of nuclear technology, missiles, biotechnology, and chemicals.

Lu Xiang, a scholar at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that the State Council approved the regulation "just in time," as industries previously not seen as dual-use have now demonstrated potential military uses.