CHINA KEEPS ITS EXPORT CONTROLS
On Thursday night, the Chinese embassy in Japan said it had rejected a petition from Japan’s Foreign Ministry to retract the new export controls on “dual-use items” that the Japanese military might be able to use in weaponry. The ambassador, Wu Jianghao, insisted that China’s move was “entirely legitimate, reasonable and lawful” – and vital to national security.
Also Friday, Japanese officials said they are closely watching if Japanese exports of agricultural, fisheries and other goods are appropriately handled by China without delays. The Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that outgoing shipments of sake and processed food from Japan to China were being held up because of the diplomatic tensions, widening the ripples of the dispute.
Quoting trade industry sources, Kyodo said the shipments were delayed in customs on the China side. It said the sources believed the sake may have been targeted as “a symbol of Japan.”
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Minoru Kihara, said he was aware of reports that some of the Japanese exports to China have been held up. He wouldn’t comment on individual commercial transactions.
“It is important that agricultural, fisheries and other exports from Japan are smoothly carried out,” Kihara said. “We will closely watch the situation and take appropriate measures.” He didn’t say what those might be.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-japan-tensions-beijing-tokyo-south-korea-5848291
