- tech360.tv
China Urges Japan To Halt Semiconductor Export Controls
Updated: Jan 4
[Edited] In a recent statement, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has urged Japan to immediately halt its semiconductor export controls, describing them as a "wrongdoing" that "seriously violated" international economic and trade rules
The call for action comes as tensions rise between the two countries over trade restrictions in the tech sector.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce released the statement following talks between Wang and Japanese Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit on May 26. Wang expressed strong disapproval of Japan's decision to align with the United States' export controls, which limit the sale of certain chipmaking tools to China.
Japan's export restrictions include a ban on the export of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China. These measures were implemented in January, following an agreement between Japan and the Netherlands to match the U.S. export controls. The aim of these restrictions is to curb China's progress in developing advanced technologies, particularly in the areas of supercomputers, nuclear weapons systems, and artificial intelligence.
While Japan has not explicitly singled out China in its statements regarding the export controls, it has emphasized its commitment to maintaining international peace and stability. However, China's Ministry of Commerce statement also expressed a willingness to collaborate with Japan in key economic and trade areas, indicating a desire for practical cooperation between the two nations.
During the APEC conference, Nishimura met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and the two officials agreed to deepen cooperation in the research and development of advanced chips and technologies, including quantum computing and artificial intelligence. This move further complicates the trade dynamics between China, Japan, and the United States.
Wang also had meetings with Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, where he criticized U.S. economic and trade policies towards China. He specifically highlighted concerns about the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which aims to exclude China and establish an alternative economic order centered around the United States.
The ongoing tensions between China and Japan, as well as the broader trade dynamics involving the United States, have significant implications for the global tech industry. As countries seek to protect their technological advancements and maintain their competitive edge, the impact on supply chains, innovation, and international cooperation remains uncertain.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has called on Japan to immediately cease its semiconductor export controls.
Japan's export restrictions include a ban on the export of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China.
China has expressed a willingness to collaborate with Japan in key economic and trade areas.
Source: REUTERS