Global export control needs multilateralism

By Wu Jinhuai 

Export control plays an important role in maintaining global security, stability and peace, and promoting development, by preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

However, some Western countries have been using export control as a political tool to fulfill their narrow goals, even engaging in pseudo-multilateralism, thereby seriously undermining the rights of other countries to peaceful uses of controlled items and relevant international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation.

The white paper on export control released by the State Council Information Office on Wednesday elaborates on China’s position, institutions and practices in improving export control governance and calls on all other countries to steer international export control toward the right direction of being fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory and reflects the will and interests of the majority of countries in a more balanced way. As such, it can help turn global export control into a “universal tool” that serves world peace and development and benefits all countries and peoples.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging across the world and the global situation undergoing rapid changes, international export control faces new, serious challenges. The export control measures some countries have unilaterally adopted are eroding the existing order based on international law. Such measures are a deviation from the original intention of global export control to serve common security and development.

In recent years, some countries, especially the United States, have used export control measures as a tool to achieve their political objectives. The US has generalized the concept of national security and, with its military strength, financial hegemony and superiority in high-tech, exerted immense pressure on “enemy” and “rival” countries. Such have been its machinations that even third-party countries have not escaped its “long-arm jurisdiction”.

By doing so, the US has hampered the sustainable development of other countries. After all, if a country puts its national interests above the common interests of the international community, all countries will suffer.

The US has drawn up numerous export control blacklists, wantonly suppressing other countries’ high-tech enterprises, and sabotaging global industrial, supply and value chains. It has taken unilateral actions, formed cliques and alliances, and obstructed normal global scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation.

-The Daily Mail-China Daily News Exchange Item