The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

China listed 7 entities from the EU, including FN Herstal, onto its export control list, effective from Friday, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said in a statement on Friday.

The decision was made to safeguard China's national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Export Control Law and the regulations on export control of dual-use items, the MOFCOM said.

Exporters are prohibited from exporting dual-use items to the seven entities, and foreign organizations and individuals are prohibited from transferring or providing dual-use items originating from China to the aforementioned entities; all ongoing related activities must cease immediately, according to the MOFCOM.

In special circumstances where export is truly necessary, exporters must submit an application to the MOFCOM.

Among the seven entities, two are from Belgium, one is from Germany and four are from the Czech Republic.

Prior to the announcement of the measures, China had already informed the EU of the relevant situation through the bilateral export control dialogue mechanism, a MOFCOM spokesperson said in a statement.

The MOFCOM spokesperson emphasized that the legally mandated export control measures target only a small number of EU entities involved in military affairs, entities that have participated in arms sales to Taiwan island or colluded with Taiwan authorities, and the measures only target dual-use items. They will not affect normal trade and economic exchanges between China and the EU, and law-abiding EU entities have absolutely nothing to worry about, the spokesperson said. 

The Chinese government will, as always, work with all countries to firmly safeguard world peace and regional stability, and jointly ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains, said the spokesperson.