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Disarmament DiplomacyIssue No. 67, October - November 2002 News ReviewChina Announces New Missile Export ControlsOn August 25, China issued a revised set of regulations on the 'Export Control of Missiles and Missile-Related Items and Technologies'. The new guidelines, in the assessment of a Foreign Ministry statement, "set forth in clear terms further measures for the export control of sensitive missile-related items and technologies. The Regulations and the Control List have entered into force as of the date of its promulgation. It represents another important step taken by the Chinese Government in line with its non-proliferation policies." The statement continues: "China attaches great importance to non-proliferation and stands against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. As a state party to a series of international treaties on non-proliferation, the Chinese Government has faithfully honoured its international obligations. On the export of missiles and missile-related dual-use items and technologies, China has always taken a prudent and responsible attitude and strictly carried out its non-proliferation policies as well as international commitments in this regard. For years, China has, in light of international and domestic developments, been improving its export control regimes through reviewing its own export control practice and drawing on other countries' experiences. A series of regulations, aimed at enhancing export control over sensitive items, have been successively promulgated. The promulgation of Regulations on Export Control of Missiles and Missile-Related Items and Technologies and the attached Control List marks a new step forward in China's legal framework for export control. China will continue to take an active part in the international cooperation in non-proliferation, stand ready to conduct in-depth exchanges and consultation with all parties and actively participate in multilateral discussions and cooperation in this regard. We are prepared to work with all parties concerned to strengthen and improve the international non-proliferation regime on the basis of universal participation and non-discrimination." The US, in particular, has long complained of the laxity of Chinese export controls. On August 25, White House spokesperson Michael Anton expressed moderate satisfaction with the new regulations: "We have a broad non-proliferation agenda with China. But this is a good sign and we welcome it." Washington has openly accused Beijing of supplying missile-related technology and equipment to a number of states including Pakistan and Iran. On September 6, Iranian television announced the successful test-firing of a Fateh-110 ballistic missile, reportedly based on China's nuclear-capable DF-11 missile, said to possess a range of 186-248 miles. The Iranian television statement - describing the Fateh-110 as "one of the most accurate surface-to-surface missiles manufactured in the world" - did not specify when the test was conducted, and provided no further technical details. Related material on Acronym website:Reports: Regulations of the People's Republic of China on export control of missiles and missile-related items and technologies, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.fmprc.gov.cn), September 25; Statement on the promulgation of regulations of the People's Republic of China on export control of missiles, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, August 25; China tightens rules on missile-related exports, Reuters, August 25; China issues missile tech regulation, Associated Press, August 25; China declines to single out Pakistan and Iraq as special targets of its new regulations for missile technology exports, Associated Press, August 27; Iran successfully test fires surface-to-surface missile, Associated Press, September 6. © 2002 The Acronym Institute. |