China Daily News, January 7, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning held a regular press conference.
The Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK) reporter asked: The Ministry of Commerce of China released an announcement on January 6th titled "Announcement on Strengthening Export Controls on Dual-Use Items to Japan." In the 2026 list of dual-use items and license management published by the Chinese government, items related to rare earths are included. Does the recent measure to strengthen export controls on Japan also cover rare earth products? In addition, the Japanese government has lodged a protest with China, citing that China's measures deviate from international practices, and has requested its withdrawal. What is China's comment on this?
"Please direct specific questions to the relevant Chinese authorities. I would like to point out that the erroneous remarks made by Prime Minister Hayashi about Taiwan have violated China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, openly interfered in China's internal affairs, and issued threats of force to China. In order to safeguard national security and interests, and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, the measures taken by China are entirely proper and reasonable," said Mao Ning.
Mao Ning stated that we urge the Japanese side to face the root causes of the problem, reflect and correct their mistakes, and withdraw the erroneous remarks made by Prime Minister Hayashi.
“Dual-use items” refer to products, software, or technologies that can be used for both civil production and military purposes. They can be used to develop weapons of mass destruction or enhance conventional military capabilities. They range from high-tech products such as rare earth materials, drones, and electronic components, to common industrial raw materials such as sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and ethanol (alcohol).
According to previous reports, the Nomura Research Institute (NRI) assessed that heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium used in neodymium magnets for electric vehicle drive motors are almost 100% reliant on Chinese supply. Once restricted, Japan's economy would face a severe blow.
The institute estimated that if China's export restrictions on rare earths to Japan lasted three months, it would result in losses of about 660 billion yen, causing the annual nominal and real GDP to decline by 0.11%. If the restrictions lasted for a year, the loss would reach about 2.6 trillion yen, with the annual nominal and real GDP decreasing by 0.43%.
Regarding the latest export control, the report pointed out that although the Ministry of Commerce of China did not explicitly list the specific product list for export control, it stated that the controlled objects include products intended for Japanese military users, as well as dual-use products that can be used to enhance military strength. The scope of control may involve multiple categories, including various products across fields such as biotechnology, aerospace, and communications being classified as dual-use items.
Analysts believe that if China significantly broadens the definition of dual-use products for Japan, the control list may include the following categories: electrical equipment and electronic components such as semiconductors, integrated circuits, and electronic parts; precision machinery such as medical equipment and optical instruments; chemical substances such as lithium compounds and rare earths related to electric vehicle batteries; communication equipment; personal computers, etc.
On January 6, the Ministry of Commerce of China announced enhanced export controls on dual-use products to Japan. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce stated on the same day that the Japanese leaders had recently made public erroneous remarks about Taiwan, implying the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, seriously violating the One-China Principle, and the nature and impact of which were extremely恶劣 (serious).
The spokesperson emphasized that China has decided to prohibit all dual-use items from being exported to Japanese military users, for military purposes, or for any other end-user purposes that could help enhance Japan's military capabilities.
At the same time, any organization or individual in any country or region who violates the relevant regulations will be held legally accountable.
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Original: toutiao.com/article/7592525818773963298/
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