CCP Places Limits on Export of Certain Aviation and Aerospace Components in Response to Technology Conflict with Western Nations
Experts suggest that the Chinese Communist Party’s decision to impose export controls on certain aviation, aerospace, and military-related materials starting July 1 is more of a political move than a practical one with significant impact on the West.
The CCP’s recent announcement includes export restrictions on aviation and aerospace parts, military materials, and technologies. This move could potentially accelerate the West’s strategy of reducing dependence on Chinese manufacturing.
The announcement, jointly issued by the CCP’s Ministry of Commerce, General Administration of Customs, and Central Military Commission, specifies items such as aircraft and aerospace structural parts, gas turbine engines, spacesuit helmet visors, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers under export control.
The export controls aim to prevent loopholes allowing banned products from being sold to third parties without permission documents from the Central Military Commission. This move is seen as preparing for potential conflict and reducing overall export volume.
Data shows that the US, India, and Vietnam are top importers of China’s gas turbine-related goods affected by the restrictions, while Brazil, Vietnam, the US, and Israel are main importers of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.
China’s export restrictions also cover materials and components for aviation and aerospace equipment. The US, Vietnam, and Singapore are among the top importers of China-made aircraft and spacecraft parts and products.
Experts believe that the CCP’s export controls are more symbolic than substantive, showcasing its position against the US in high-tech industries. The US has been imposing sanctions on China due to technological developments in its military sector with imported Western technologies.
While the CCP’s restrictions are limited in scope, experts suggest that there may be room for negotiation with the US and Europe. Despite restrictions, the US remains significantly ahead in space technology, with a few decades of a technological advantage over the CCP.
Zhang Hong and Luo Ya contributed to this report.
