China places EU defence, aerospace firms on export control list
Seven listed entities are barred from receiving ‘dual-use’ items originating in China, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce
Beijing has placed seven entities from the European Union on its export control list, banning them from receiving “dual-use” items – products with potential military application – originating in China, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce issued on Friday.
The entities, including Belgium-based firearms manufacturer FN Herstal and its parent FN Browning Group, are predominantly major European defence contractors, aerospace research institutes and satellite intelligence firms the ministry said were involved in arms sales to Taiwan.
The ministry said the measure was to “safeguard China’s national security and interests” and “fulfil international obligations such as non-proliferation”, and was in accordance with the country’s laws and regulations on export control.
“These measures apply strictly to dual-use items and do not affect normal economic and trade exchanges between China and the EU. Law-abiding EU entities with high integrity have absolutely no cause for concern.”