China, after rare-earth retaliation against Japan: "Export controls limited to military use"

Japan summons Chinese ambassador to protest

China said its recently announced export controls on dual-use (military and civilian) items, unveiled with Japan in mind, are measures limited to military use and will not affect the civilian sector.

He Yadong, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce, said at a regular briefing on the 8th, “In accordance with laws and regulations, China prohibits exports of dual-use items to Japan’s military end users and for military purposes, as well as to all end users involved in strengthening Japan’s military capabilities.” He stressed that “the civilian-use sector will not be affected,” adding that “relevant parties engaged in normal civilian trade transactions have absolutely no need to worry.”

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on the 6th that it would ban exports of dual-use items for uses that could contribute to strengthening Japan’s military capabilities. It also mentioned the possibility of secondary sanctions targeting third countries that transfer Chinese dual-use items to Japan. However, because it did not specify the items or the scope of application, interpretations varied over whether sanctions could expand to the civilian sector and whether key resources such as rare earths would be included.

The Japanese government again pushed back. Takehiro Funakoshi, administrative vice minister at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao the same day to exchange views on overall bilateral relations and again lodged a strong protest over the tightened export controls on dual-use items, demanding their withdrawal. According to the Chinese Embassy in Japan, Ambassador Wu countered that “these measures are intended to safeguard national security and interests and to fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, and are entirely justified, reasonable and lawful,” adding that “China’s position has already been made clear and it will advance the relevant measures in accordance with established procedures.” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it conveyed its protest on the day China announced the export controls, and the following day, on the 7th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara also stated at a regular press conference that it was “deeply regrettable” and formally protested to China through the foreign ministry.

China’s recent pressure on Japan appears to be in response to remarks by Japan’s political circles regarding Taiwan. The trigger was Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting that “if China attacks Taiwan, Japan could respond by mobilizing its Self-Defense Forces.” China has demanded a retraction while gradually stepping up pressure on Japan, including urging Chinese citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan, restricting Japanese films and performances in China, and canceling the resumption of imports of Japanese seafood.

Reporter Hye-in Lee hey@hankyung.com