China has stalled Japan-bound exports of various critical minerals: data

BEIJING - China has stalled Japan-bound exports of various critical minerals including rare earths and rare metals, mainly items related to the defense industry, recent Chinese trade data has shown, indicating continued economic pressure amid a Sino-Japanese diplomatic row.

In recent years, Beijing has tightened export controls on at least 16 types of minerals amid its trade conflict with Washington. On Jan. 6, China strengthened restrictions on the shipment of dual-use items to Japan following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's parliamentary remarks last November on a Taiwan emergency.