(Beijing = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Hyun-jung = China is implementing measures to restrict the export of tunnel excavators and special excavation equipment to countries and regions in dispute with China due to their 'dual-use' nature (can be used for both military and civilian purposes).
Regarding drone equipment and technology, which have been defined as representative dual-use materials, an adjustment plan was also announced to subdivide the control standards focusing on high-performance products while simplifying the export approval method for general products.
On the 19th, China's Ministry of Commerce announced that in order to protect national security and interests, some tunnel excavators, walk-behind excavators, highland concrete spraying equipment, and related key parts and technologies are subject to export control.
According to the notice, companies wishing to export the equipment to 'sensitive countries and regions' that have disputes with China must obtain permission from the Ministry of Commerce in accordance with China's Export Control Law and Dual-Use Items Export Control Ordinance.
However, it did not specify which country or region was the disputed country or region.
When exporting to other countries, exporters and end users must promise not to transfer or provide Chinese products to conflict countries or regions without permission from Chinese authorities.
Authorities have prohibited companies or individuals outside China from transferring or providing Chinese products to these countries or regions without permission from the authorities.
Export control targets include full-section tunnel boring machines (TBMs) used for excavating subway, railway, and road tunnels.
Walking excavators, which can work in rough terrain using support devices that move like legs, were also placed on the control list.
Specifically, if the processing performance of the excavator exceeds any of the four standards, including vertical obstacle height of 1.2m, underwater movement depth of 1.5m, ditch crossing width of 3m, and walking angle of 40 degrees, it will be subject to export control by the authorities.
The export of plateau-type wet concrete spraying equipment, which reinforces structures by spraying concrete on tunnel walls in highlands over 3,000 meters above sea level, exceeds all performance standards specified in the notice, including maximum engine output of 75 kW, maximum torque of 680 N·m (Newton meters), maximum motor output of 55 kW, and pump suction efficiency of 95%.
Key components designed for use in this equipment, such as engines, auxiliary oxygen supply devices, electric motors, air compressors, equipment structures such as chassis and folding work arms, and related hydraulic and pump transfer technologies are also subject to control.
The Ministry of Commerce said of this measure, "It is in line with internationally accepted practices and is intended to more effectively protect national security and interests and more faithfully fulfill international obligations, such as non-proliferation," and added, "Relevant export license applications will be reviewed in accordance with laws and regulations, and applications that meet the regulations will be approved."
He added, "We are willing to communicate and dialogue with relevant parties regarding export control policies and implementation through the bilateral export control dialogue and exchange mechanism," adding, "We will jointly actively promote and facilitate compliant trade."
On the same day, the authorities announced an adjustment plan to clarify export control standards for high-performance drones and related parts and technology while simplifying export procedures for general-use drones.
According to a related notice, drones that can fly stably in gusts of more than 46.3 km per hour, high-performance drones that have a flight distance of more than 300 km or that can be equipped with a spray device that exceeds 80 liters can be exported only with government permission.
On the other hand, drones with a flight time of 30 minutes or more but less than 3 hours and flight performance at a certain wind speed can be exported through information registration and issuance of an export certificate instead of a case-by-case export permit. Simplified procedures have been decided to apply to the temporary export and import of drones for participation in general exhibitions.
The Ministry of Commerce explained this by saying, "With the development of the drone industry and technology, we have prepared this measure in consideration of the fact that some items that were once high-tech products have become mass consumer goods and industry opinions."
Last August, China introduced separate regulations to screen drones, core parts, and related technologies exported to the United States on a case-by-case basis and to prevent them from applying export licensing convenience measures.
In addition, the authorities announced a control plan for key equipment related to dredgers used for digging the sea or riverbed or for landfill work, and designated mud pumps and pump parts for dredgers that exceed a certain standard, and devices that suck or dig out seabed sediment, etc. as targets of control.
Export control measures related to tunnel excavators, drones, and dredging equipment will take effect from the 18th of next month.
Bloomberg News commented on the authorities' export control measures on major equipment, saying, "China, the world's second largest economy, is showing off its industrial influence."
