China's remarks on the release of the "Export Control of Dual-Use Items"

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce of the State Council of China answered questions from reporters on the release of the Export Control List of Dual-Use Items of the People's Republic of China.

By the State Council of China, on November 15, 2024, the Ministry of Commerce, together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs, and the State Cryptography Administration, issued Announcement No. 51 of 2024, announcing the "Export Control List of Dual-Use Items of the People's Republic of China" (hereinafter referred to as the "List"), which will be implemented on December 1, 2024. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered questions from reporters on the "List".

Q: Please introduce the background of the release of the “List”?

Answer: Formulating a unified "List" is a basic requirement for implementing the "Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China" and the "Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Items" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which will soon be implemented, and is also an important reform measure to improve the export control system. The "List" will take over the dual-use export control list items attached to multiple legal documents of different levels such as nuclear, biological, chemical, and missile that are about to be abolished, and will fully draw on international mature experience and practices. It will be systematically integrated according to the division method of 10 major industry fields and 5 types of items, and uniformly assign export control codes to form a complete list system, which will be implemented simultaneously with the "Regulations". The unified "List" will help guide all parties to fully and accurately implement China's laws and policies on export control of dual-use items, improve the governance efficiency of dual-use export control, better safeguard national security and interests, fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, and better maintain the security, stability and smooth flow of the global industrial chain and supply chain.

Question: Has the scope of control in the List been adjusted? Will China consider adding items to the List in the future?

A: The purpose of China's formulation of the List is to systematically integrate all dual-use items that are currently under control and establish a complete list system and system. It does not involve adjustments to the specific scope of control for the time being. China has always adhered to the principles of rationality, prudence, and moderation in carrying out the listing of dual-use items. Currently, the number of dual-use items under control is only about 700, which is significantly less than that of major countries and regions. In the future, China will, based on the need to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, comprehensively consider industry, technology, trade, security, and other factors based on extensive investigation and assessment, and promote the listing and adjustment of items in a legal, steady and orderly manner.