China escalated its commerce tensions with Japan on Wednesday by launching an investigation into imported dichlorosilane, a chemical fuel utilized in making semiconductors, a day after it imposed curbs on the export of so-called dual-use items that could possibly be utilized by Japan’s navy.
The Chinese language Commerce Ministry mentioned in a press release that it had launched the investigation following an utility from the home trade exhibiting the worth of dichlorosilane imported from Japan had decreased 31% between 2022 and 2024.
“The dumping of imported merchandise from Japan has broken the manufacturing and operation of our home trade,” the ministry mentioned.
The measure comes a day after Beijing banned exports to Japan of dual-use items that may have navy functions.
Beijing has been exhibiting mounting displeasure with Tokyo after new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recommended late final 12 months that her nation’s navy may intervene if China have been to take motion towards Taiwan — an island democracy that Beijing considers its personal territory.
Tensions have been stoked once more on Tuesday when Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki, who final 12 months was sanctioned by China for “spreading fallacies” about Taiwan and different disputed territories, visited Taiwan and known as it an unbiased nation. Often known as Yo Kitano, he has been banned from coming into China. He informed reporters that his arrival in Taiwan demonstrated the 2 are “totally different nations.”
“I got here to Taiwan … to show this level, and to inform the world that Taiwan is an unbiased nation,” Hei Seki mentioned, in response to Taiwan’s Central Information Company.
“The nasty phrases of a petty villain like him usually are not value commenting on,” Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning retorted when requested about his remark.
Fears of a uncommon earths curb
Masaaki Kanai, head of Asia Oceanian Affairs at Japan’s Overseas Ministry, urged China to scrap the commerce curbs, saying a measure completely concentrating on Japan that deviates from worldwide follow is unacceptable. Japan, nevertheless, has but to announce any retaliatory measures.
As the 2 nations feuded, hypothesis rose that China would possibly goal uncommon earths exports to Japan, in a transfer much like the rounds of vital minerals export restrictions it has imposed as a part of its commerce warfare with the USA.
China controls many of the international manufacturing of heavy rare earths, used for making highly effective, heat-resistant magnets utilized in industries comparable to protection and electric vehicles.
Whereas the Commerce Ministry didn’t point out any new uncommon earths curbs, the official newspaper China Each day, seen as a authorities mouthpiece, quoted nameless sources saying Beijing was contemplating tightening exports of sure uncommon earths to Japan. That report couldn’t be independently confirmed.
Improved South Korean ties distinction with Japan row
As Beijing spars with Tokyo, it has made some extent of courting a distinct East Asian energy — South Korea.
On Wednesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrapped up a four-day journey to China – his first since taking workplace in June. Lee and Chinese language President Xi Jinping oversaw the signing of cooperation agreements in areas comparable to know-how, commerce, transportation and environmental safety.
As if for example a distinction with the China-Japan commerce frictions, Lee joined two enterprise occasions at which main South Korean and Chinese language firms pledged to collaborate.
The 2 sides signed 24 export contracts value a mixed $44 million, in response to South Korea’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Sources.
Throughout Lee’s go to, Chinese language media additionally reported that South Korea overtook Japan because the main vacation spot for outbound flights from China’s mainland over the New Yr’s vacation.
China has been discouraging journey to Japan, saying Japanese leaders’ feedback on Taiwan have created “vital dangers to the non-public security and lives of Chinese language residents in Japan.”
—Simina Mistreanu, Related Press
