A drone is seen in the sky as Chinese drone maker DJI holds a demonstration to display an app that tracks the registration and owner of a drone in Montreal, Canada, November 13, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Christinne Muschi
China on Monday announced export controls on certain drones and drone-related equipment, saying it wanted to safeguard “security and national interests” amid growing tension with the United States over access to technology.
Restrictions on equipment, including certain drone engines, lasers, communications equipment and anti-drone systems, would come into effect on September 1, the Commerce Department said.
The controls would also affect some consumer drones, and no civilian drones could be exported for military use, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
“China’s modest expansion of the scope of its drone control this time is an important step in demonstrating our position as a responsible major country, in implementing global security initiatives and in maintaining world peace,” he said. said the unidentified spokesperson.
Authorities have informed relevant countries and regions, the spokesperson said.
China has a large drone manufacturing industry and exports to several markets, including the United States
US lawmakers have said more than 50% of drones sold in the US are made by Chinese company DJI, and it is the most popular drone used by public safety agencies.
DJI said on Monday that it has always strictly observed and enforced the laws and regulations of the countries or regions in which it operates, including China’s export control regulatory requirements.
“We have never designed and manufactured products and equipment for military use, and we have never marketed or sold our products for use in military conflicts or wars in any country,” added the manufacturer of drones.
In March 2022, a German retailer accused DJI of leaking data on Ukrainian military positions to Russia, which the company dismissed as “totally false”.
China’s Commerce Ministry said in April this year that US and Western media were spreading “baseless accusations” that it was exporting drones to the battlefield in Ukraine, adding that the reports were an attempt to “smear” the Chinese companies and would continue to tighten export controls. on drone.
The drone export restrictions come after China last month announced export controls on certain metals widely used in chip manufacturing, following moves by the United States to restrict the China’s access to key technologies, such as chip-making equipment.
