China has introduced new regulations on supply chain security that give officials powers to punish entities deemed to threaten access to vital resources and the flow of goods, reports Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.

The 18 point rules outline responsibilities for national and local authorities to ensure stable and continuous production and flows of raw materials, technologies, equipment and products in key sectors. Measures include information sharing, risk monitoring and emergency management.

Officials are instructed to draw up a list of sectors vital to China's economic and national security, strengthen strategic reserves of goods and capacity, and establish systems for rapid deployment of reserves during crises. The move reflects Beijing's effort to safeguard supply chains amid an increasingly turbulent global outlook.