China defends export control listing of Japanese entities

China on Monday defended its decision to place 20 Japanese entities on an export control list, calling the move completely justified, reasonable and lawful. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the measures are aimed at resolutely curbing Japan's reckless moves toward neo-militarism, while stressing that they target only a handful of entities and dual-use items, and will not affect normal China-Japan trade.

Guo made the remarks at a regular news briefing after the Ministry of Commerce announced it had added 20 Japanese entities to an export control list, and placed another 20 Japanese entities on a watch list, as part of tightened controls over dual-use items — goods and technologies with both civilian and military applications.

Noting that the measures target only a small number of Japanese entities and apply solely to dual-use items, Guo said they will not affect normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan. Japanese entities that comply with the law have absolutely nothing to worry about, he added.