The latest revision of China's nuclear exports control
regulations attests that the government will resolutely oppose the
proliferation of mass destructive weapons and the means of their
delivery, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on
Saturday.
China's State Council promulgated Friday the amendments on the
exports control over nuclear goods and technologies for civil and
military purposes, requiring the recipient side to fulfill more
obligations to ward off the acts of nuclear terrorism.
The spokesperson said that the revision was a significant
measure taken by the government to strengthen the legislation
against the proliferation of mass destructive weapons and their
means of delivery.
The Ministry of Commerce would shoulder its responsibility and
enforce the laws strictly, he said.
Under the revision, a special expert consulting panel will be
set up under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Commerce to
undertake the consulting, evaluation and verification of nuclear
goods and technologies for exports.
The Ministry of Commerce may ask the customs authorities to
detain and inspect suspicious cargo. For goods and cargo beyond the
supervisory capacity of customs, the Ministry of Commerce may seal
them up and ask relevant departments to carry out further
inspections.
Unlike the previous regulations which required State Council
approval for the modification of the nuclear export control list,
the Ministry of Commerce will have the authority to make regular
adjustments in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy
Agency and other members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
(China Daily February 17, 2007)