Ministry Minutes | FM: China's export controls on Japan aimed at curbing remilitarization, nuclear ambitions

China has implemented export control measures targeting Japan in accordance with its laws and regulations to curb the country's attempts at "remilitarization" and nuclear ambitions, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2023 shows a factory of JL MAG Rare Earth (Baotou) Co., Ltd. in Baotou, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (File photo: Xinhua)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing in Beijing in response to a media query regarding Japan's reported shortages of yttrium, a rare earth element. According to media reports, Tokyo has requested US assistance in persuading Beijing to ease relevant export controls.

"China has implemented export control measures targeting Japan in accordance with our laws and regulations to curb its attempts at 'remilitarization' and nuclear ambitions," Mao said, emphasizing that China's position on safeguarding the stability and security of the global industrial and supply chains for critical minerals remains unchanged.

"All parties have the responsibility to play a constructive role in this regard," she said.