BEIJING: The export controls on gallium and germanium-related products that were implemented in August are legitimate and necessary steps to protect China’s national security, an article posted by the Ministry of State Security said on Thursday, in response to the publication of maliciously twisted interpretations of the move on the foreign media.
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 that the country can impose export curbs on dual-use items and other goods related to safeguarding national security and interests. Besides, China’s Foreign Trade Law provides that, to safeguard national security, the country may restrict or prohibit the export of goods relevant to national security.
China also pre-notified the relevant countries through normal channels before issuing control measures, ensuring fairness, reasonableness and nondiscrimination, and without targeting any specific country, it said. –The Daily Mail-China Daily exchange item
