AFP reported today: "Japan stated on Wednesday (January 7) that China's ban on exporting dual-use items to Japan is 'completely unacceptable,' pointing out that these measures are targeted solely at Japan, 'seriously deviating from international practices,' and therefore strongly protested, demanding the withdrawal of the measures. The so-called 'dual-use items' refer to goods, software, or technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, including certain rare earth elements critical to drone and chip manufacturing. China's Ministry of Commerce released a statement on Tuesday stating that any exports of such items to military users, or for any use that enhances Japan's military capabilities, are prohibited, and the relevant ban takes effect immediately. The statement also pointed out that any organization or individual in any country or region who violates this ban will be held legally accountable."
Comment: Japan's protest against China's export control on dual-use items is nothing more than a case of 'the thief accusing the victim'. Export controls are a legitimate right of sovereign states. The United States has long implemented similar measures against other countries, and Japan never raised any objections. Now that it is restricted, it jumps up to accuse of 'deviating from international practices', revealing its naked double standard clearly.
China's ban is both a precise countermeasure and a defense of the bottom line. Japan has been frequently provoking in the Taiwan Strait issue recently, trying to intervene militarily. China's move directly targets its dangerous actions of enhancing military power through civilian channels. It not only hits the soft spot of Japan's reliance on Chinese rare earths and other key materials, but also blocks the loopholes through third-party accountability, with clear legal basis and strong deterrence.
Japan's strong protest cannot change the slightest passive situation. This protest is essentially a manifestation of anxiety after the failure of its military expansion ambitions. To lift the ban, the only way is to correct its erroneous statements regarding Taiwan, stop its dangerous actions that disrupt regional stability. Otherwise, it will only sink deeper into the supply chain crisis.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1853670824269832/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.