Beijing widens export curbs on Japanese dual-use items

The Commerce Ministry in Beijing is widening export curbs on Japan by targeting its drone makers and defence institutions, citing the country's ambitions for "remilitarism."

On Monday, the ministry adds 20 Japanese entities to its export control list for dual-use items which prevents Chinese exporters from selling to them without prior approval.

The listed entities include Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies and several subsidiaries of Mitsubishi, Komatsu and Fujitsu, as Beijing seeks to limit Tokyo's "new type of militarism" as well as nuclear ambitions.

The ministry stresses relevant measures do not affect the normal bilateral economic and trade exchanges, and reassures law-abiding Japanese firms and organisations operating "in good faith" to have no cause for concern.

Dual-use items are products, technologies and materials with both civilian and military applications.