Beijing: China has introduced new export controls on rare earth-related items, mandating that foreign organizations and individuals secure a dual-use item export license from the Ministry of Commerce before exporting these items from countries or regions outside China to other destinations.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, exports to foreign military entities involved in weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related activities, or to importers and end-users on China’s export control or watch lists, will undergo strict scrutiny and are generally unlikely to receive approval. Applications involving end-uses such as the research and development or production of logic chips at or below the 14-nanometer node, memory chips with 256 layers or more, semiconductor manufacturing or testing equipment and materials for such processes, or artificial intelligence technologies with potential military applications, will be evaluated individually.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce emphasized that the measure highlights China’s role as a responsible major country. “The implementation of export controls on relevant items reflects China’s consistent commitment to safeguarding world peace and regional stability, and its active participation in international non-proliferation efforts,” the spokesperson stated.

The spokesperson further noted that China remains open to dialogue and cooperation through multilateral and bilateral export control mechanisms, aiming to promote compliant trade and ensure the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.