China to adjust drone export controls

BEIJING: China will amend drone export controls from Sept 1, including abolishing temporary export controls for certain consumer drones, to help safeguard the security of global industrial supply chains, a commerce ministry spokesperson said.

In a statement the ministry said it would also adjust control standards for some important components of unmanned aircraft, such as infrared imaging equipment and lasers for target indication.

China has a large drone manufacturing industry and exports to several markets. The spokesperson said the Chinese government opposes the use of civilian drones for “non-peaceful purposes”.

Last year China said US 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.

Chinese drone maker DJI Technology Co told Reuters on Wednesday it was pleased to see the adjustments, which it said would be favourable for the development of the drone industry.

“DJI have made it absolutely clear that our products are for civilian use only. We have never designed, developed or manufactured military-grade equipment, we have never adapted our products or pursued business opportunities for combat operations; we have never marketed or sold our products for combat use in any country," it said in a written response to Reuters.

The company added it would continue to strictly comply with and implement China’s export control rules, and the laws and regulations of the countries and regions where it operates.The Chinese drone giant has come under US government scrutiny over its alleged ties to the Chinese military.

In December last year, some Republican lawmakers asked the Pentagon to block export licenses for US components for DJI, citing national security concerns.In May, a group of House Republicans proposed legislation that would hike US tariffs on Chinese-made drones by 30 per cent and bar imports of drones that contain critical components made in China by 2030.

Last year, China announced export controls on some drones and drone-related equipment, saying it wanted to safeguard “national security and interests” amid escalating tension with the United States over access to the technology.

The measures last year included a two-year temporary export control on some consumer drones, and no civilian drones were allowed to be exported for military purposes.The ministry then said it decided to “appropriately” expand the drone export control, without targeting any specific country and region.