A drone is used to spray pesticide in a rice paddy in Taizhou, East China's Jiangsu Province on Thursday. Local autumn grain production is going through a crucial period in preventing insect infestations, with drones employed to protect crops. Photo: cnsphoto

The revised catalogue of Chinese technologies whose exports are banned or restricted doesn't target any specific firms, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday, when asked whether the revision aims to delay the sale of TikTok.

The announcement of the revised list is in line with scientific and technological development and the push for international sci-tech exchange and cooperation, MOFCOM spokesman Gao Feng told an online briefing in Beijing.

China added 23 of its best technologies including drone technology and parts, ultra-high voltage transmission, clean coal power generation, and quantum encryption to the list of restricted exports, according to a Friday circular jointly released by MOFCOM and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

The existing list came into effect on November 1, 2008. It was not until July 2018 when the MOFCOM unveiled draft revisions.

If relevant firms make an overseas transfer of technologies on the list during trade, investment or outbound economic and technology cooperation, they should consult provincial commercial authorities in a timely manner and follow the rules, Gao said.

The spokesman didn't disclose whether the sale of TikTok's US operations requires the approval of the Chinese government, or whether TikTok parent ByteDance has filed an application with the MOFCOM and the MOST for the sale. 

China classifies tech exports as free, restricted and prohibited. Free tech exports are subject to contractual registration afterward, while the export of restricted technologies requires a license. 

ByteDance said on Sunday that it will strictly follow the revised rules in "handling operations related to export of technologies."

Global Times