China places 20 Japanese entities on export control list for dual-use items

China added 20 Japanese entities to its export control list for dual-use items on Monday, preventing Chinese firms from selling to them without prior approval, citing Tokyo’s ambitions for “remilitarisation.”
The action, Beijing’s latest in a series of export curbs targeted at Tokyo, was aimed at limiting Japan’s “new type of militarism” as well as its nuclear ambitions, the Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement.
Japan’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ties between China and Japan have been strained since late last year after sensitive Taiwan-related remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Tokyo’s decision to increase defence spending, prompting Beijing to begin imposing export controls on dual-use items in January.
“China’s lawful action of listing only targets a small number of Japanese entities, the relevant measures apply only to dual-use items, which does not affect the normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan,” the ministry said, reassuring that law-abiding Japanese entities operating “in good faith” need not worry.