China imposes export controls on certain UAVs to safeguard national security, interests; curbs to take effect on September 1
GlobaltimesJul 15, 2023
The Facts
The PRC government announced Monday that it's imposing export controls on some civilian drones and drone-related equipment to protect "national security and interests."
China will prohibit the export of some long-range drone technology, engines, lasers, communication equipment, and anti-drone systems beginning Sept. 1.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
As a leading and responsible exporter of civilian drones, China must restrict the export of civilian long-range UAV technology to prevent the technology from falling into the wrong hands. Export control has become necessary due to frequent reports that civilian drones have been converted into military use on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield.
Anti-China narrative
Restricting the export of these UAVs is long overdue from Beijing. Quadcopters have been a concern for the Pentagon since early in the Ukrainian war. Despite a widespread Western pressure campaign intended to restrain Russia’s ability to continue the war, the Kremlin has effectively been using these PRC-made drones to target Ukrainian forces, smuggled into Russia by third parties.