Article affirms China's rationale for export controls

The export controls on gallium and germanium items implemented in August is a legitimate and necessary step to protect China's national security, an article posted by the Ministry of State Security on Thursday said in response to foreign media.

Items related to gallium and germanium have military and civilian dual-use attributes, it said. The lawful implementation of export controls is aimed at ensuring their legitimate use, maintaining national security and fulfilling China's international obligations more effectively.

China's Export Control Law stipulates the country can impose export controls on dual-use items and other goods related to safeguarding national security and interests and the Foreign Trade Law states for the purpose of safeguarding national security, the country may restrict or prohibit the export of goods.

China has pre-notified countries through normal channels before issuing the control measures, ensuring fairness, reasonableness and non-discrimination, it said.

Given that China has been the world's largest importer and consumer of strategic mineral resources, and its demand for strategic mineral resources will continue to rise as the country is in the middle and later stages of industrialization with rapid urbanization, the article said, the action was prudent.

Additionally, as global political and economic patterns have undergone profound adjustments, it is imperative to better coordinate resource development and security, it said.

Most developed countries have implemented control measures on strategic mineral resources. The United States and the European Union have included gallium and germanium in their lists of critical minerals and subjected them to special attention. Furthermore, the Wassenaar Arrangement, a multilateral export control mechanism led by the US and EU, includes gallium and germanium in its controlled list. Several agreements of the World Trade Organization also include clauses supporting member countries in taking measures to safeguard national security.

For many years, the proportion of gallium and germanium produced by China for the global market significantly exceeds China's share of global reserves. In such circumstances, implementing controlled export measures to appropriately manage exports and reduce the loss of strategic resources is in line with international norms, the article argued.