China Imposes Export Ban on ‘Dual-Use’ Goods to US Military Suppliers Over National Security Concerns
China’s Commerce Ministry announced on Thursday that the country has banned the sale of “dual-use” goods to 28 US military suppliers, citing national security concerns.
Dual-use goods, technologies, and services are those that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, and can contribute to the enhancement of military capabilities, particularly in the construction, development, and production of mass destruction weapons and their delivery systems.
The latest measure was taken on the basis of China’s Export Control Law and the Regulation on the Control of the Export of Goods with Dual Use, in order to protect national security and interests, and to fulfill international obligations, including the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, the ministry said.
The list of sanctioned companies includes major US defense contractors such as General Dynamics, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon.
Ten of the sanctioned companies were also added to a list of unreliable companies due to their arms sales to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as its own, according to a separate statement from the ministry. The list includes five subsidiaries of Lockheed Martin, three of General Dynamics, as well as Raytheon Missile Systems and a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
The White House has reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China policy, recognizing Taiwan as part of China, while also working militarily with the government in Taipei, a move that has sparked outrage in Beijing. Chinese authorities have repeatedly condemned US arms sales to Taiwan and accused Washington of fueling tensions.
Last week, China imposed sanctions on seven US defense and space companies in response to continued arms sales to Taiwan, a move taken shortly after the US Senate passed a $895 billion defense bill that includes numerous measures to strengthen military support for Taipei.