China's Commerce Ministry said on July 1 that it will start limiting exports of technology and equipment connected to aviation and aerospace. The action was taken to protect national security and interests as well as to meet international responsibilities, including non-proliferation, according to a notification posted on the ministry's website on Thursday. Export licenses will be necessary for exports of goods classified under the new regulations. The Central Military Commission's equipment development division and China's General Administration of Customs jointly announced the statement. According to the statement, equipment, software, and technology connected to engine manufacture, aircraft, aerospace engines, and structural elements would all be subject to export regulations. In addition, they will have fixtures, moulds, tools, and other processing machinery needed to create specific materials like superplastic, which is bonded with titanium, aluminium, and their alloys. Both Beijing and Washington have taken steps to restrict the export of goods, machinery, and technology that are deemed essential for maintaining national security. In response to arms shipments to Taiwan, a self-governing island it claims as its own, China has also placed restrictions on a few American aerospace and defence companies. According to the notification from the Commerce Ministry, the controls would also include technologies utilised in the design, manufacture, and usage of the equipment, such as simulation data, design drawings, process specifications, process parameters, and processing methods. It's unclear what the change will mean overall. China exports many aerospace and aircraft parts, including engine parts. It has created its own jet engines as well. However, for essential aeroplane parts, it continues to rely on foreign sources. It has started to produce using its own technology and manufacturers.