OMM Newsroom
China on Wednesday defended export restrictions on rare earths to Japan, saying they were intended to prevent Tokyo’s “remilitarization” and efforts to acquire nuclear weapons, Anadolu Agency reported.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular briefing in Beijing that the measures had been imposed in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations.
Mao was responding to a report by the “Financial Times” that Japan had sought US help to persuade Beijing to ease export controls as supplies of yttrium dwindle.
“China’s position on maintaining the stability and security of global critical mineral production and supply chains remains unchanged,” Mao said, adding that all parties should play a constructive role.
The “Financial Times” reported on Tuesday that Japan could run out of its yttrium stockpiles within months, potentially disrupting automotive, aerospace and semiconductor production.
Citing Japanese officials, the newspaper said Tokyo had approached Washington and major US companies to seek intervention.
Yttrium, which is used in heat-resistant coatings for jet engines and semiconductor equipment, has seen prices outside China rise 179-fold over two years.
Beijing tightened export controls on Japanese companies in February, targeting firms allegedly linked to military production.
