Legal and Policy Issues of Export Control in Commercial Space Internationalisation and China’s Response

International cooperation in commercial space is an effective way to optimise the space industry and maximise the interests of all parties. China’s commercial space industry started relatively late, and China is also actively seeking cooperation. However, some developed countries, including the United States, have strictly controlled the export of space-related goods, technology and services through Missile Technology Control Regime, the Wassenaar Arrangement and related domestic laws. In addition, China’s export control regulations related to the space industry are scattered and lack unified applicable rules, which is not conducive to potential commercial space internationalisation. China needs to establish a comprehensive, scientific and practical legal regime and policy support mechanism for the export control of space-related items. Meanwhile, China should participate more in the international multilateral export control system and break through the bottleneck of international cooperation in commercial space through transparency, mutual trust and reciprocity.