China's State Council yesterday published revised regulations on nuclear
export controls that give the government more control over the end use of
exported nuclear technology.
The new regulations, signed by Premier Wen Jiabao on Nov. 9, will take
immediate effect.
According to the revised version, the goal of the regulations is to enhance
control over nuclear exports, prevent proliferation, guard against nuclear
terrorism, safeguard national security and promote international cooperation in
using nuclear energy peacefully.
The new regulations add an article that requires the government of countries
importing Chinese technology to guarantee they will seek Chinese government
consent before attempting to enrich uranium to a level above 20 percent using
the equipment provided by China.
The new regulations also allow Chinese customs to require exporters to apply
to the Ministry of Commerce for documents that demonstrate whether the export
comes under the nuclear export controls.
Since the mid-1990s, China has gradually set up a comprehensive legal system
for export controls on nuclear, biological, chemical, missile and other
sensitive items and technologies as well as all military products.
The government has promulgated Regulations on the Control of Nuclear Exports,
Regulations on the Export Control of Dual-Use Biological Agents, Regulations on
the Export Control of Missiles and Missile-Related Items and Technologies, and
Regulations on the Administration of Arms Export.
The Foreign Trade Law, the Customs Law and the Criminal Law also provide a
legal basis for China's non-proliferation export controls.
The government has stepped up campaigns to publicize laws and regulations on
export controls.
