New White Paper Highlights China's Export Control Priorities, Enforcement Efforts
China this week released its first export control white paper, which includes an overview of its recently created export control law (see 2010190033), how it has sought to improve and coordinate its export restrictions with trading partners and its expectations for industry compliance. The paper also describes some new export control initiatives, including a broader enforcement approach and potential revisions to China’s export control list.
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In the paper, issued Dec. 29, China said it plans to build an “export control information service platform,” according to an unofficial translation of the document. China said the platform will “increase guidance and services” for exporters and build on its more than 20 annual export control training seminars and forums. China also reiterated that it will issue general licenses and other “convenience” measures to businesses with export control compliance programs in “good condition,” a concept introduced by the commerce ministry in guidance this year (see 2105180023).
China also highlighted steps it has taken to improve its export control enforcement and said it plans to “broaden” those efforts. Not only can Chinese authorities conduct on-site inspections and access other “data” to check companies’ compliance with export control laws, but law enforcement can also “incorporate” export control violations committed by people or companies “into their credit records,” which China hopes will deter violations.
The country also said it has taken steps to invest in better equipment for law enforcement, including “specialized” customs equipment for “testing and inspecting radioactive, biological and chemical items.” China said this has “significantly improved the efficiency of identifying, inspecting and disposing of export-controlled items.”
China has also recently worked to establish “intergovernmental mechanisms with many countries” to better cooperate on multilateral export controls, the paper said. It specifically named Russia, with which it has issued end-user and end-use statements for export-controlled goods. China also said it has held “several” seminars on export-controlled items with the U.S. to “enhance exchanges of law enforcement technology.” The U.S. has specifically sought to restrict sales of dual-use items and other goods that can be used by China for law enforcement surveillance and other crime-control reasons and is working on a new set of restrictions for crime-control items (see 2112140044).
Although China said it has discussed export controls bilaterally with a range of countries, including the U.K., France, Germany and the EU, it said the best forum for those talks is the U.N. “China maintains that the United Nations, as the most universal international organization, should play a central role,” the white paper said.
China said it hopes to “accelerate the formulation” of its export control list but didn’t specify what items may be added. The country also said it will prioritize multilateral coordination on future controls, suggesting export restrictions should be a collaborative effort among the world’s leading nations. “At present, the international landscape is undergoing profound changes, and international export control is facing many challenges,” the white paper said. “Strengthening international cooperation and seeking common security and development require long-term and unremitting joint efforts of all countries.”