▲ Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Kang
China and Japan are at odds over the Japanese government's decision to tighten export restrictions in the field of advanced semiconductors.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing yesterday (3rd) that Japan announced plans to tighten export regulations in the high-tech semiconductor field, saying, "If it seriously damages China's interests, we will respond resolutely without sitting idly by."
Commenting on Japan's tightening of export regulations, Mao said, "It is widely perceived as deliberately restricting China's cooperation in the semiconductor industry," adding, "We hope that Japan will use its prudent judgment and avoid further complications in bilateral relations."
This is interpreted as suggesting that China will take countermeasures against Japan's tightening of export controls in the high-tech semiconductor field to join the U.S.-led export controls on semiconductors to China.
On 31 March, the Japanese government announced that it will tighten export restrictions on 23 items in the advanced semiconductor field, including exposure devices that record delicate circuit patterns on substrates and devices used for cleaning and inspection.
The Japanese government plans to revise the relevant regulations and implement the enhanced regulations from July.
Although the Japanese government did not explicitly mention China, it is analyzed that it is in step with the United States, which decided in October last year to take measures such as banning the sale of advanced semiconductor equipment to Chinese semiconductor producers.
In response to the Chinese government's backlash, the Japanese government once again insisted that the measures were not aimed at China.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, a spokesman for the Japanese government, said at a regular press conference today that "we are aware of China's reaction" and that "the export control measures for semiconductor manufacturing equipment announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are to implement strict export controls in a manner consistent with international rules from the perspective of maintaining international peace and security."
"Although the Chinese side mentioned this measure during the China-Japan foreign ministers' talks held in Beijing on 7 February, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi explained that Japan's measures were not aimed at a specific country and expressed his intention to continue to respond appropriately in accordance with this policy."
(Photo=AP, Yonhap News)