Beijing: China has tightened rules governing nuclear exports so as to guard against 'nuclear terrorism' while allowing the international peaceful use of atomic power.

The new regulations, issued by the State Council, China's cabinet yesterday, steps-up export controls over the end use of exported nuclear technology.

The goal of the regulations is to enhance control over nuclear exports, prevent proliferation, guard against nuclear terrorism, safeguard national security and promote international cooperation in using nuclear energy peacefully, the government said.

The new regulations add an article that requires the government of countries importing Chinese technology to guarantee they will seek Chinese government consent before attempting to enrich uranium to a level above 20 per cent using the equipment provided by China.

The new regulations also allow Chinese customs to require exporters to apply to the Ministry of Commerce for documents that demonstrate whether the export comes under the nuclear export controls.

Since the mid-1990s, China has gradually set up a comprehensive legal system for export controls on nuclear, biological, chemical, missile and other sensitive items and technologies as well as all military products.