China strengthens export controls of dual-use products to Japan

China has strengthened export controls on dual?use items to Japan in an effort to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international non?proliferation obligations, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

In its first announcement of the year, the ministry emphasized the prohibition on the export of all dual?use items to Japan for military purposes, as well as for other end-users that could contribute to enhancing Japan's military capabilities.

Any organization or individual in any country or region that transfers or supplies relevant dual?use items originating in China to organizations or individuals in Japan, in violation of the above provisions, shall be held legally liable in accordance with the law, the ministry added.

Dual-use goods are products, software and technologies with legitimate civilian applications that can also be diverted for military purposes, including developing weapons of mass destruction or enhancing conventional military capabilities, leading to strict international controls and licensing for their export, covering items from chemicals and drones to high-tech computers and software.

Moreover, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent erroneous public statements concerning China's Taiwan, hints at the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait, a spokesperson for the ministry said in response to queries about the export control measures.

These remarks constitute gross interference in China's internal affairs, seriously violates the one?China principle, and are extremely egregious in nature and impact, the spokesperson said.

To safeguard national security and interests and to fulfill international obligations including non?proliferation, China has, therefore, decided to strengthen export controls over dual?use items to Japan, the spokesperson added.