Illustration: Peter C. Espina/GT

A statement jointly released recently by the Ministry of Commerce and the General Adminstration of Customs saying that China would restrict exports of drones and supercomputers from August 15 has attracted a lot of global media attention, with many saying the announcement was a retaliation against similar restrictions launched by the US in April. But this is actually a misunderstanding, and the export restrictions are not targeted at the US.

In April, the US stopped Intel from working with China on computer hardware. The Wall Street Journal said in a recent report that "there could also be an element of tit-for-tat: Beijing was riled in April by the US government's decision."

In my opinion, while the US stopping Intel's China cooperation is unreasonable, the export restriction announced by the Chinese government is quite another thing, unrelated to the US restrictions.

First, export restrictions on high-tech for dual purposes is an international practice. The US government announced restrictions on drone exports just in February this year. There was little comment in the world media then. Why is there a fuss about China this time?

Second, China's export rules apply to all countries and regions equally, with no discrimination against the US. Under the new rule, companies that make certain drones and supercomputers will have to register with commerce authorities and obtain a license before exporting them. It means certain high-tech products, rather than their export destination, must be approved by the authorities before being exported.

Third, like other countries including the US, export controls on high-tech for dual purposes is out of national security considerations. Shen Danyang, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, confirmed on Tuesday that the export restrictions are intended to help maintain China's national security.

Fourth, China's export restrictions on drones and supercomputers are mainly due to anti-terror considerations. In fact, the new rule mainly targets military drones, rather than those for civil-use. According to the Xinhua News Agency, the restriction includes only drones capable of flying for longer than an hour, and China's biggest drone maker, DJ-Innovations, said that none of its products are on the list.

According to media reports, Pakistan in July shot down what was alleged to be an Indian spy drone, which has been recognized from pictures to be a product made in China. It is appropriate that the Chinese companies must comply with government restrictions on drone and supercomputer exports, to avoid military drones and supercomputers from being used for the wrong purposes. This is a necessary requirement for a responsible country like China.

It is clear that the export restrictions over drones and supercomputers are not aimed at the US, but one of the questions that remains is that considering China's overall rise in scientific and technological advancement, will China in the future see greater frictions with the US over broader export controls on high-tech exports?

In my opinion, China will not see frictions with the US. China's high-tech export restrictions are targeted at military use, with exports of those for civil purposes encouraged. For the US, high-tech export controls also affect the export of civil purpose high-tech to China, due to political considerations.

China, by contrast, has encouraged exports and overseas investment in the high-tech sector. The State Council, China's cabinet, on May 16 outlined 13 prioritized sectors for enhancing cooperation with other countries and regions.

The sectors - including telecommunications, automobiles, electric power and shipbuilding - all involve high-end manufacturing.

The US should abandon its zero-sum thinking and cooperate with China in high-tech areas. The US needs to review its export control policy toward China and allow more high-tech products to be exported to China.

The author is co-director of the China-US/EU Study Center at the China Association of International Trade. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn