Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong at a regular press conference Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said on Thursday that China's export controls on rare-earth related items are strictly implemented in accordance with laws and regulations. He made the remarks when asked to comment on a report released Monday by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, which said that most surveyed companies had been affected by China's export controls on rare earths, and asked whether an application mechanism for general licensing is being discussed.

"As far as I know, all compliant applications for civilian-use exports have been approved in a timely manner," He said, adding that the Chinese government has also actively introduced facilitation measures such as general licenses to promote the compliant trade of dual-use items and help safeguard the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Responding to a question on how many rare-earth export licenses China has approved since late October, Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong said on Thursday that as long as an export application is compliant and for civilian use, the Chinese government has approved it in a timely manner. 

Global Times