BEIJING – Chinese regulators on Tuesday announced adjustments to the country's export control catalog for precursor chemicals to the United States, Mexico and Canada, increasing the number of listed chemicals requiring export permits from 16 to 18.

Two substances have been added to the export control catalog for these three countries. Under the updated rules, exporters must apply for permits when exporting any of the 18 listed chemicals, as well as their possible salts, to the three countries concerned.

The announcement also maintains permit requirements for exports of 41 listed chemicals to Myanmar, Laos and Afghanistan. Exports of the listed substances to other countries and regions do not require such permits, according to the announcement.

China's Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Emergency Management, the General Administration of Customs and the National Medical Products Administration jointly announced the adjustment, which took effect on the date of release.

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The move is intended to further improve management of the export of precursor chemicals, the announcement noted.