China to Ban Export of Civilian Drones for Military Use
Jul 31, 2024 / GMT+6
China announced it will ban the export of civilian drones that can be used for military purposes or in terrorist activities. This decision comes amid Western criticism of China's stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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The Ministry of Commerce made the announcement on Wednesday. They aim to prevent the use of drones in the spread of dangerous weapons. The new rules will restrict features like infrared imaging, target indication lasers, and high-precision measurement equipment. These will be added to an export control list.
The ministry also said it will remove temporary restrictions on some civilian drones. While it didn't specify which types, last year China restricted the export of long-range drones, citing Russia's war in Ukraine.
The new regulations will start on September 1.
Media reports and U.S. intelligence claim Russia has bought drones from China for military use. In April, U.S. officials told The Associated Press that China’s drone sales to Russia have increased. They said both countries are working to produce drones together inside Russia. Drones have become crucial in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
China is the world's fourth-largest weapons exporter, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The U.S., France, and Russia top the list. Most of China's exports go to Pakistan, but it also sells arms to other Asian and African countries.
U.S. security officials are worried about the use of Chinese drones by U.S. government departments. DJI Technology Co., a leading Chinese company, is a top global drone producer, with its drones widely used around the world.
