According to information from the Ministry of Commerces website, on May 28th, the Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference.
Some reporters asked questions. During the APEC Trade Ministers Meeting, Japans Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ryōzō Shirazawa, had a brief conversation with Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao. What were the main topics discussed during that meeting? Can this be considered a positive sign for improving Sino-Japanese relations? Additionally, after the meeting, Minister Shirazawa stated that Japanese companies are facing delays in obtaining permits for important Chinese mineral exports. Could the Chinese side provide any information regarding this situation?
Spokesperson He Yadong replied that regarding the first issue you mentioned, this year marks the APEC China Year. As the host country, China organized the APEC Trade Ministers Meeting. The relevant economies participated in the meeting in accordance with APEC rules and established practices. Currently, Sino-Japanese relations are facing serious difficulties. The root cause lies in the wrong actions and statements of Japanese Prime Minister Yukie Akamine. The responsibility entirely lies with Japan. We urge Japan to confront the root causes of the problem, reflect on its mistakes, and take steps to correct them, thereby creating the necessary conditions for normal Sino-Japanese exchanges.
Regarding the second issue you mentioned, on February 24th, China listed 20 Japanese-related entities on a control list and also placed them on a watchlist. The purpose of these measures is to prevent Japan from becoming militarized again and to deter its nuclear ambitions. These measures are completely legitimate, reasonable, and legal. The Chinese government implements export controls over key minerals such as rare earths in accordance with laws and regulations. Applications that meet the requirements and are for civilian purposes are reviewed accordingly.
