The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Monday placed 20 Japanese entities, including SUBARU Corporation, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and TDK Corporation, on a watch list after authorities said they were unable to verify the ultimate end users and end uses of exported dual-use items, according to the ministry.

The move, issued by MOFCOM's Bureau of Industrial Security and Export Control, is based on the Export Control Law and regulations on dual-use items, and takes effect immediately, the ministry said in a statement.

Export operators are barred from applying for general licenses or obtaining export certificates through simplified registration procedures when exporting dual-use items to the listed entities. For single-item licenses, exporters must submit a risk assessment report and provide a written commitment that the items will not be used for any purpose that could enhance Japan's military capabilities, per MOFCOM.

The ministry will apply significantly stricter end-user and end-use reviews to exports of dual-use items to any entities on the watch list. Exports involving Japanese military end-users, military applications, or any other end-users or end-uses that could contribute to strengthening Japan's military capabilities will not be approved, according to the statement.

According to the list published by MOFCOM, the 20 Japanese entities added to the watch list for stricter dual-use item export controls include SUBARU Corporation, FUJI Aerospace Technology Co, ENEOS Corporation, Yusoki Co, and others.

Entities on the list may apply for removal after fulfilling verification obligations in accordance with relevant regulations, and MOFCOM may remove them upon review, the announcement said.

On the same day, the ministry also placed other 20 Japanese entities, including multiple affiliates of Mitsubishi Corp, on its export control list, banning the export of dual-use items to them over their role in enhancing Japan's military capabilities.

Global Times