Notice to exporters 2020/12: the extension of the China arms embargo to Hong Kong
Published 22 July 2020
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-to-exporters-202012-the-extension-of-the-china-arms-embargo-to-hong-kong/notice-to-exporters-202012-the-extension-of-the-china-arms-embargo-to-hong-kong
On 20 July 2020 the Foreign Secretary informed Parliament in an oral statement that the UK has taken measures, given the new National Security Law which China has imposed on the people of Hong Kong
So we will extend to Hong Kong the arms embargo that we have applied to mainland China since 1989 and last updated on 3 June 1998. This goes beyond the ban on crowd control equipment announced on 25 June 2019 and also covers any items that might be used for internal repression alongside the other restrictions included in the 3 June 1998 written ministerial answer.
The scope includes:
- lethal weapons, such as machine guns, large-calibre weapons, bombs, torpedoes, rockets and missiles
- specially designed components of the above and ammunition
- military aircraft and helicopters, vessels of war, armoured fighting vehicles and other weapons platforms
- any equipment which might be used for internal repression
Open general licences that include Hong Kong will be changed or amended to bring them in line with restrictions on China.
All licence applications are carefully assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and a licence will not be granted if to do so would be inconsistent with the Criteria, including Criterion 1 embargoes and national restrictions.
Contact ECJU
General queries about strategic export licensing
Export Control Joint Unit
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London
SW1A 2DY
Email exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Telephone 020 7215 4594
More information on export controls is available on the ECJU pages of the GOV.UK website, also the SPIRE export licensing database.
This notice is for information only and has no force in law. If the information here applies to your business, we recommend you take appropriate action, including seeking legal advice if necessary.
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