The US's increased restrictions on exports to China highlight its hegemonic nature (Observatory)
Recently, the Biden administration in the United States has begun to strengthen export controls on nuclear power products from China, requiring certain generators, containers, software, special nuclear materials, and raw materials used in Chinese nuclear power plants to submit additional applications when exporting. This regulation is another restrictive measure on China's nuclear power development, following the inclusion of 23 Chinese entities involved in the nuclear industry in the "Entity List" by the United States in 2021.
In October 2018, the US Nuclear Safety Administration issued a ban on China's nuclear industry. This ban, which clearly leans towards US nuclear technology exports and suppresses China's independent technology, states that it will not approve CGN and its related entities to apply for new technology, equipment, and material export licenses or revise or extend existing export licenses. As a result, China General Nuclear Corporation (CGN) is subject to strict restrictions. In August 2019, the United States added China National Nuclear Power Corporation, China National Nuclear Corporation Group, China National Nuclear Research Institute Co., Ltd., and Suzhou Thermal Power Research Institute Co., Ltd. to the list of entities. In 2020, the US Department of Defense included 11 Chinese companies, including China Three Gorges Corporation and China National Chemical Corporation, in the "Entity List". Afterwards, whenever there are any new developments in China's nuclear power industry, the United States will impose sanctions.
Since the establishment of the nuclear industry system in the 1950s, having independent intellectual property rights has always been the core goal of China's nuclear power industry. After decades of development, from front-end uranium enrichment, nuclear fuel manufacturing, and nuclear power plant technology, to back-end spent fuel reprocessing technology, and even research on fast reactors, high-temperature gas cooled reactors, and fusion reactors, China's nuclear power industry has a complete range of categories and a technological level that is at the forefront of the world. Therefore, the sanctions imposed by the United States on China's nuclear power industry will not harm the fundamentals. The United States is well aware of this.
Despite knowing the limited effectiveness of sanctions, the United States still advocates for decoupling and disconnection in the nuclear power field, with the fundamental purpose of coercing other countries to take sides and curb the development of China's nuclear power industry. According to the US Export Administration Regulations, being listed on the "Entity List" means that companies need to obtain a license from the US Industrial and Security Administration when purchasing any controlled items from the US or third parties containing US technology. Due to the strong dominance of the United States in the economy, technology, and other fields, most of the underlying core technologies of technologically developed countries and regions such as Europe, Japan, and South Korea rely on the United States. Therefore, the United States' "physical list" sanctions may force partners to "show loyalty" and avoid negative impacts.
The US's increased restrictions on exports to China highlight its hegemonic nature. In recent years, the United States has used "sanctions", "extreme pressure", and "economic coercion" as common means to maintain its own hegemony. According to statistics, as of the beginning of this year, nearly 12000 organizations and individuals worldwide have been sanctioned by the United States. In order to maintain its own interests, the United States has long been accustomed to hegemonic behavior, willing to disrupt international rules and order, weaken the development capacity of other countries, and drag down the pace of global economic growth.
This incident once again indicates that the key core technology cannot be obtained, purchased, or obtained. The prosperity of technology leads to the prosperity of the nation, and the strength of technology leads to the strength of the country. The key core technology is a crucial tool for the country, which is of great significance in promoting high-quality economic development and ensuring national security. China should be guided by national strategic needs, gather forces to carry out original and leading technological breakthroughs, resolutely win the battle for key core technologies, and let the hegemonic behavior of waving sanctions lose its grip.
