He Yongqian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

China firmly opposes and will not accept remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding her request for China's withdrawal of export control measures on dual-use items to Japan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday, adding that the root cause of China's measures against Japan lies in Takaichi's erroneous remarks and actions, a fact the Japanese side is fully aware of.

Spokesperson He Yongqian made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to comment on the Japanese leader's recent statement in a television program that China's tightening of export controls on dual-use items, which she claimed targets only Japan, does not conform to international practice, and her request that China withdraw the measures.

First, Prime Minister Takaichi's erroneous remarks concerning the Taiwan question infringe upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and constitute a blatant interference in China's internal affairs, and a threat of force against China, He Yongqian said. "Such actions seriously violate international law and basic norms governing international relations, and challenge the post-war international order and the outcomes of the victory in World War II."

Second, Japan's moves to push for revisions to the three national security documents and other steps aimed at strengthening military capabilities and expanding armaments run counter to Japan's Constitution and break through its long-standing principle of being exclusively defense-oriented. The accelerated push toward remilitarization poses a threat to regional and global peace, according to the spokesperson.

Third, attempts to promote changes to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, along with senior officials' public pro-nuclear remarks, constitute a serious challenge to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, He Yongqian noted, adding that "they represent a complete departure from Japan's proclaimed commitment to peaceful development and have triggered strong opposition from the international community."

The spokesperson noted that export controls are a widely accepted international practice. Safeguarding world peace and fulfilling international non-proliferation obligations are the purposes and principles of export controls. As a responsible major country, China has consistently and actively fulfilled its international non-proliferation obligations, she noted.

In accordance with laws and regulations, China has imposed controls on all dual-use items, prohibiting exports to Japanese military users, for military purposes, as well as to any other end users or end uses involved in enhancing Japan's military capabilities. "The aim is to prevent 'remilitarization' and nuclear ambitions, and these measures are fully justified, reasonable and lawful," the spokesperson noted.

Rather than facing the root causes of the problem, the Japanese side has instead fabricated accusations that China is engaging in "economic coercion", which completely turns right and wrong upside down and amounts to sophistry, He Yongqian said. "Such rhetoric and conduct are even more alarming, as they raise concerns about a revival of militarism. China once again urges the Japanese side to seriously reflect on itself, correct its mistakes, and avoid going further down the wrong path," she added. 

Japan's pursuit of remilitarization poses a serious threat to stability in China and the wider Asian region, making it necessary for China to take corresponding measures to mitigate risks in line with the shared concern of regional countries and the international community for strategic stability and security, said Chen Zilei, director of the Research Center for Japanese Economics at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.

Also at Thursday's press conference, when asked for comments by Japanese media about export license reviews for rare-earth exports, including civilian-use shipments, being suspended for Japan, and some Japanese firms having reportedly been told new rare-earth transactions will not proceed, the MOFCOM spokesperson said China's export control to Japan is only for military users and any other end users or purposes that contribute to enhancing Japan's military capabilities.

He Yongqian emphasized that as a responsible major country, China has consistently implemented export controls in accordance with laws and regulations. "China remains committed to safeguarding the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, and exports involving civilian uses will not be affected as a result," the spokesperson noted.