On Apec sidelines, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao condemns semiconductor controls and Japan’s G7 ‘smears’

Name: ‘Don’t help a villain’: China urges Japan not to follow US’ lead on tech isolation
Uploaded: 2023-05-29T12:00:20.000Z
Duration: 1 min 54 s
Description: ‘Don’t help a villain’: China urges Japan not to follow US’ lead on tech isolation

Wang Wentao lodges a solemn representation with Japanese trade minister Nishimura Yasutoshi

He says China is willing to work with Japan towards a relationship that ‘meets the requirements of the new era’

Reading Time:2 minutes

Why you can trust SCMP

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao says Japan “insisted on introducing semiconductor export control measures, which seriously violated international economic and trade rules”, according to a ministry statement. Photo: Reuters

Cyril Ip

Published: 8:00pm, 29 May 2023Updated: 9:34pm, 29 May 2023

Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao has condemned Group of 7 summit host Japan for “smearing and attacking” China, and urged a halt to semiconductor export controls, which he said “seriously violated” international economic and trade rules.

Wang lodged a solemn representation with Japanese trade minister Nishimura Yasutoshi during a meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) trade ministers meeting in Detroit.

“Japan disregarded China’s strong opposition and the industry’s opinions, and insisted on introducing semiconductor export control measures, which seriously violated international economic and trade rules and damaged the foundation of industrial development,” Wang said, according to a statement from his ministry.

01:54

‘Don’t help a villain’: China urges Japan not to follow US’ lead on tech isolation

In January, Washington secured an agreement with Japan and the Netherlands, two major players in the chipmaking industry, to impose export controls and undercut Beijing’s ambitions to build its own domestic chip capabilities.

In March, Tokyo expanded restrictions on the export of 23 types of leading-edge chipmaking technology, requiring local companies to receive a licence before selling to China. The list was updated a week ago, with the curbs expected to take effect on July 23.

“China is strongly dissatisfied with this and urges Japan to correct its wrong practices and effectively maintain the stability of the global industrial and supply chains,” Wang said.

He said China was willing to work with Japan to provide a “fair, transparent and predictable business environment” and build a relationship that “meets the requirements of the new era”.