China imposes export sanctions on Czech arms and aerospace firms

China imposes export sanctions on Czech arms and aerospace firms

Beijing/Prague, April 24 (CTK) - China has added Czech arms companies Excalibur Army and Omnipol, the Czech branch of US satellite imaging company SpaceKnow and the Czech national centre for aerospace VZLU Aerospace to its export sanctions list, the AFP agency reported today, citing China's Ministry of Commerce.

In total, China added seven European Union entities to the sanction list. Inclusion on the list means that Chinese export firms are not allowed to supply dual-use goods, that is goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, to the companies.

The Chinese ministry said it was imposing restrictions on seven European companies and entities operating in the arms and defence sector mainly because of alleged arms sales or collusion with Taiwan.

The Czech companies declined to comment further on the situation. The CSG group, to which Excalibur Army belongs, and Omnipol do not expect a significant impact on their business. "Excalibur Army does not directly source any dual-use technologies from China. As for the potential impact, we do not expect this measure to have a significant effect on our business," CSG spokesman Andrej Cirtek told CTK. VZLU Aerospace, for its part, stated that it respects Beijing's decision.

In addition to the Czech entities, the new restrictions apply to the Belgian firm FN Browning Group and its subsidiary Fabrique Nationale Herstal, which are manufacturers of small arms, and to the German company Hensoldt AG, which focuses on radar and aeronautical technology.

hel/er