China to ban export of unregulated civilian drones for military use after Ukraine visit

Bloomberg reported the information.

On Wednesday, the Central Military Commission and other agencies added drones equipped with high-precision measurement technology to a blacklist. These changes amend a list published last year and will come into effect on September 1.

While export bans on consumer-grade drones have been lifted, the Ministry of Commerce has reaffirmed its position that civilian equipment should not be used for “proliferation of mass destruction weapons, terrorism, or military purposes.”

This directive was introduced shortly after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s first visit to China since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing has consistently countered Western criticisms that it is supplying Moscow with dual-use items with military applications.

European officials recently alleged that Chinese and Russian companies are developing an attack drone similar to an Iranian model used in Ukraine, according to Bloomberg News. China has denied these claims, asserting that it has not supplied weapons to any parties in the Ukraine war and enforces strict controls on the export of dual-use items.

The Ministry of Commerce stated, “China opposes drone exports being used for non-peaceful purposes, and opposes individual countries imposing illegal sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals on the pretext of using drones.”