China's State Council Friday published revised regulations on nuclear export controls that give the government more control over the end use of exported nuclear technology.

 

The new regulations, signed by Premier Wen Jiabao on November 9, will take immediate effect.

 

According to the revised version, the goal of the regulations is to enhance control over nuclear exports, prevent proliferation, guard against nuclear terrorism, safeguard national security and promote international cooperation in using nuclear energy peacefully.

 

The new regulations add an article that requires the government of countries importing Chinese technology to guarantee they will seek Chinese government consent before attempting to enrich uranium to a level above 20 percent using the equipment provided by China.

 

The new regulations also allow Chinese customs to require exporters to apply to the Ministry of Commerce for documents that demonstrate whether the export comes under the nuclear export controls.

 

Since the mid-1990s, China has gradually set up a comprehensive legal system for export controls on nuclear, biological, chemical, missile and other sensitive items and technologies as well as all military products.

 

The government has promulgated Regulations on the Control of Nuclear Exports, Regulations on the Export Control of Dual-Use Biological Agents, Regulations on the Export Control of Missiles and Missile-Related Items and Technologies, and Regulations on the Administration of Arms Export.

 

The Foreign Trade Law, the Customs Law and the Criminal Law also provide a legal basis for China's non-proliferation export controls.

 

The government has stepped up campaigns to publicize laws and regulations on export controls.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2006)