Japan's curbs on chip exports opposed

China expressed strong dissatisfaction on Monday over Japan's export restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, hoping Tokyo would prudently make decisions and avoid complicating mutual trust and bilateral ties.

Japan announced on Friday it would tighten exports of 23 types of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment spanning six categories. The rules, which will take effect in July, were seen as a move to artificially impose restrictions on semiconductor cooperation with China.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference that China will evaluate the impact of Japan's policies and will make firm responses if such moves harm China's interests.

Mao noted that Beijing expressed concerns and had lodged representations at various levels to Tokyo over the restrictions.

China is the world's largest semiconductor market, and the country's integrated circuit imports are nearly $600 billion per year, Mao said.

The country is also the largest export market for Japan's semiconductor industries, with annual exports to China exceeding $10 billion. The Chinese market accounts for a quarter of Japan's semiconductor equipment exports, Mao said.

Repercussions warned

China and Japan have carried out mutually beneficial cooperation so far, she said, adding that the restrictions Japan might take will not only harm regional and global semiconductor industry and supply chains, but will also hurt Japanese enterprises. China hopes Japan would act on its statements of advancing cooperation with China and take an objective stance, defend a stable and smooth global industrial chain, a free and open global trade order as well as common interests of both sides, she said.

Japan's export controls followed restrictions by the Netherlands on overseas sales of semiconductor technology last month, after the United States secured a deal with the two countries to restrict exports of some advanced chip-making machinery to China in January, Bloomberg reported.

Speaking to Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Sunday, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said Washington used bullying to brutally suppress Tokyo's semiconductor industry, and it is now using the same tactics against Beijing, urging Japan not to help the evil.