China on Monday announced export controls on certain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related items to safeguard national security and interests.

The restrictions on equipment, including some drone engines, lasers, communication equipment and anti-drone systems, will take effect on September 1, with some measures remaining temporary according to the announcement.

Here are some key takeaways.

1. Export controls on drones are 'international norm'

"High-performance drones have certain military attributes, and it is an international norm to implement export controls on them," said a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) in response to the latest export restrictions.

The spokesperson noted that China's export control on drones, first implemented in 2002, its scope and technical standards is in line with international practices.

Drone technology has rapidly evolved with its application scenarios expanding in recent years, the spokesperson added. Considering the increased risk of high-grade, high-performance civilian drones being repurposed for military use, the country has decided to moderately expand export measures on unmanned aerial systems (UAVs).

In fact, UAVs are subject to export control regulation almost every where they are produced and regulations have been tightened over the years. 

The United States updated its policy on the export of UAVs in 2015 for both military and commercial or dual-use drones under the country's Export Administration Regulations. 

The European Union (EU) has amended the scope of UAV export control twice, in 2016 and 2019. 

2. Control specs: they are temporary

As an extension of export controls issued in 2015, the measures include more detailed specifications. 

For example, drones with the maximum take-off weight of 7 kilograms or an empty weight of over 4 kilograms, and those that can be controlled beyond the operator's visual line of sight for 30 minutes or more are under the new restrictions.

The period of temporary export control on certain UAVs shall not exceed two years, according to the notice.

3. First control on anti-drone system 

It's the first time the measure has extended to anti-drone systems. An anti-drone system can be used to disrupt and destroy the operating function or flight capability of UAVs through technical measures, and such systems have been improperly used as the industry expands over the years.

"If the anti-drone systems are used improperly, it may lead to serious consequences, including affecting civilian aviation safety and increasing the risk of military conflict," said Wang Junfeng, a chief engineer from the State Radio Monitoring and Testing Center.

He added that it is important to tighten controls over drones and anti-drone systems, and Monday's extension is a timely and precise manner. 

In response to the newly introduced export control on certain drone items, China's drone maker DJI said on Monday that it always strictly complied with and enforced laws and regulations of the countries or regions in which it operates, including China's export control regulatory requirements.