China's Commerce Ministry announced on Thursday its decision to implement restrictions on the exports of aviation and aerospace-related equipment and technology starting from July 1. The ministry's website posted a notice stating that this action aims to safeguard national security, protect interests, and fulfil international obligations such as non-proliferation. Export licenses will be required for items designated under the new regulations. This announcement was made jointly with China's General Administration of Customs and the Central Military Commission's equipment development department. The export controls will cover various items such as aircraft and aerospace engines, structural parts, engine manufacturing-related equipment, software, and technology. Additionally, tools, molds, fixtures, and processing equipment utilised in manufacturing materials like "superplastic" bonded with titanium, aluminium, and their alloys will also fall under these controls. Both Beijing and Washington have recently taken steps to limit exports of products, technology, and equipment deemed crucial to national security. China's actions come amidst its imposition of sanctions on some U.S. aerospace and defence manufacturers in response to weapon sales to Taiwan, a self-governed island China claims as its territory. The notice from the Commerce Ministry specifies that the controls will extend to technologies involved in the development, manufacturing, and usage of the equipment, encompassing design drawings, process specifications, parameters, procedures, simulation data, and similar elements. The full extent of the impact of these measures remains uncertain, considering China's significant exports of engine parts and other aircraft and space components, alongside its domestic development of jet engines. Despite advancements in its own technology and manufacturing capabilities, China still relies on foreign suppliers for crucial aircraft components.

(Source: Indian Express)