Japanese restrictions will push China ‘to become self-reliant’, says Beijing

The head of Japanese diplomacy, Yoshimasa Hayashi, for his part defended the restrictions, considering them “in accordance with international rules”.

By Le Figaro with AFP

Published on 02/04/2023 at 15:14

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This visit by Mr. Hayashi (left) to Qin Gang (right) is the first to China by a Japanese foreign minister since December 2019. KYODO / REUTERS

THE Tokyo’s announced export restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment only go “further stimulate“China for”become independentChinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Japanese counterpart on a visit to China on Sunday.

«The lockdown will only further spur China’s resolve to become self-sufficientsaid Mr. Qin, calling Japan “alackeyfrom Washington, according to a report of the ministerial meeting.

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Speaking to journalists, the head of Japanese diplomacy, Yoshimasa Hayashi, for his part defended the restrictions, considering them “conform to international rulesand ensuring that theydid not target a particular country».

This visit by Mr. Hayashi is the first to China by a Japanese foreign minister since December 2019. It comes after more than three years of sharply deteriorated bilateral relations.

“Preventing the misuse of technology for military purposes”

The two ministers’ meeting in Beijing on Sunday came just two days after Japan announced its intention to restrict the export of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. With this announcement on Friday, similar to previous decisions by the United States and the Netherlands, Tokyo immediately drew the wrath of China, targeted without being directly named.

These export restrictions are intended to “prevent the misuse of technology for military purposes“, explained Friday the Japanese Minister of Economy, Yasutoshi Nishimura, ensuring that no country was targeted in particular.

«The US Used Bullying Tactics To Brutally Crack Down On Japan’s Semiconductor Industry, And Now It’s Reverting To Its Old Tricks Against China“, said the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs to his Japanese counterpart, according to the minutes of the meeting.

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Semiconductors have become a major sticking point in the difficult relations between China and Japan, respectively the world’s second and third largest economies. The two ministers also mentioned the case of a Japanese detained in China. Suspected of espionage, he worked in China for the Japanese pharmaceutical group Astellas.

Mr. Hayashi told the press after the meeting that Japan had “protestedagainst this detention and called forimmediate releasefrom this Japanese national. China will deal with this file “in accordance with the lawcommented Mr. Qin.