China revises drone export controls amid western scrutiny

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will amend drone export controls from Sept.1, including adding high-precision measurement equipment to the control list and adjusting standards for some unmanned aircraft components.

The move comes amid intensified scrutiny from the U.S. and its allies over allegations that Beijing is supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

Last year China dismissed reports from the U.S. and Western media about Chinese drones being used in the Ukraine conflict as "unfounded" and a "smear" against Chinese firms.

The commerce ministry said these adjustments would help better safeguard China's national security and interests, and ensure the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.

Notably, Beijing will also lift temporary export controls for certain consumer drones.

China, a major player in the global drone manufacturing industry, emphasizes that it opposes the use of civilian drones for "non-peaceful purposes," according to the statement.

On Tuesday, Kyiv's foreign ministry spokesperson said its foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba was told during his visit in China last week that Beijing had not sent weapons to Russia and would not do so in the future, and that Beijing is also strengthening export controls particularly on civilian drones.

DJI Technology Co, a leading Chinese drone maker, told Reuters in a statement on Wednesday it was pleased to see the export control adjustments, which it said would be favourable for the development of the drone industry.

"DJI have made it absolutely clear that our products are for civilian use only. We have never designed, developed or manufactured military-grade equipment, we have never adapted our products or pursued business opportunities for combat operations; we have never marketed or sold our products for combat use in any country," it added.

The company added it would continue to strictly comply with and implement China's export control rules, and the laws and regulations of the countries and regions where it operates.

In May, a group of House Republicans proposed legislation that would hike U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made drones by 30% and bar imports of drones that contain critical components made in China by 2030.

Last year, China announced export controls on some drones and drone-related equipment, saying it wanted to safeguard "national security and interests" amid escalating tension with the United States over access to the technology.

The measures included a two-year temporary export control on some consumer drones, and no civilian drones were allowed to be exported for military purposes.

The ministry then said it decided to "appropriately" expand the drone export control, without targeting any specific country and region.

(Reporting by Reuters staff; Editing by Alex Richardson, Alexandra Hudson)