Exclusive: Beijing's Sweeping Ban Targets Japan's Military Ambitions Amid Taiwan-related Provocations

BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Special Report) – China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a landmark announcement on Monday, imposing a total ban on exports of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, for military purposes, and any other end uses that help enhance Japan’s military capabilities. The move, backed by China’s Export Control Law, marks a firm countermeasure against Tokyo’s recent dangerous moves that undermine regional stability and interfere in China’s internal affairs.

A ministry spokesperson clarified that the ban comes in response to Japanese leaders’ blatant wrong remarks on the Taiwan question, which implied potential military intervention and seriously violated the one-China principle. “Such acts crudely interfere in China’s internal affairs and have extremely bad nature and impact,” the spokesperson stressed.

Dual-use items, defined as goods, technologies and services with both civilian and military applications, are the backbone of modern military industries. Key materials covered by the ban include gallium, germanium semiconductors, rare earth permanent magnets and high-purity hydrogen fluoride—all critical for manufacturing precision missiles, fighter jet radars and advanced ammunition. Japan relies heavily on Chinese supplies for these components, with over 90% of its rare earth permanent magnets and 70% of ultra-high-purity hydrogen fluoride imported from China.