TXT - China said to curb exports of drones on worries about military use

2023-07-31 10:18:51 ET

China on Monday imposed restrictions on exports of some civilian drones and related equipment. The country cited Russia’s war in Ukraine as cause for concern about converting drones to military use, the Associated Press reported .

The export controls take effect Tuesday to prevent drone applications for “non-peaceful purposes,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. It said exports still will be allowed, but didn’t specify what restrictions would apply.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government has friendly relations with Russia, though it has said it is neutral in the war in Ukraine. The country has faced accusations that the warring countries might be using Chinese-made drones for military surveillance and possibly attacks, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. officials have claimed that more than half of the commercial drones sold in the United States are made by China's DJI. Its drones are the most popular among public safety agencies.

DJI on Monday said it complies with laws of countries and regions where it operates, and that it hasn't made products for military use, Reuters reported.

The U.S. Department of Defense last year put DJI on its list of Chinese companies in which Americans aren't allowed to invest because of alleged ties to China's military. DJI denied the claim.

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