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

China firmly opposes and will not accept  the relevant remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding her demand for China's withdrawal of export control measures on dual-use items, He Yongqian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce 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 knows fully well.

He Yongqian made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi'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 demand 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," He Yongqian said, emphasizing that "the aim is to prevent 'remilitarization' and nuclear ambitions, and these measures are fully justified, reasonable and lawful."

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," the spokesperson added.

Global Times