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The Ministry of Commerce Photo: VCG

As items related to strategic resources have significant dual-use attributes for both military and civilian purposes, China will, in due course and in accordance with the law, add addiotnal dual-use items in strategic resources and enhance export controls based on its own needs to safeguard national security, while fully considering international practices and better fulfilling its non-proliferation obligations, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday.

The spokesperson made the remarks in response to a question about whether the MOFCOM will add dual-use items in the area of strategic resources and strengthen export controls in 2025.

The spokesperson noted that China places high importance on export controls and aligns its efforts with international standards. The country is continuously refining its export control system and updating the list of dual-use items based on the actual situation, the spokesperson noted.

The spokesperson emphasized that China's implementation of export controls on relevant items reflects the responsible role of the Chinese government as a major global player. At the same time, China will remain committed to promoting a high level of openness and is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with concerned countries and regions in the area of export controls to maintain the stability of the global industrial and supply chains.

According to the Chinese Nuclear Society, uranium, rare earths, molybdenum and gold are typical examples of strategic mineral resources.

Dual-use items refer to goods, technologies and services that may be used either for civilian purposes or for military purposes or to contribute to an increase in military potential, especially to design, develop, produce or use weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

"Strategic resources, most of which are scarce worldwide, are crucial to the national economy and its development interests, occupying a dominant position in the resource system. Therefore, the optimized use and export control of these resources are important for maintaining national security, ensuring the stability of global supply chains and the sustainable utilization of global resources," Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Export controls do not mean a cessation or prohibition of exports. In recent years, many countries have strengthened export controls on dual-use items, and the MOFCOM's move, which coordinates development with security, is in line with international practices. "This differs from the practices of certain countries that use export controls as tools of power politics and hegemony," Zhou noted.

China issued a list on November 15 for export controls of dual-use items, which took effect on December 1, a spokesperson from the MOFCOM said on November 15, noting that the list contains about 700 items, far fewer than those maintained by other major countries and regions.  

During a press conference on Wednesday, Meng Yue, an official with the MOFCOM, said that the Chinese government has always implemented export controls in a prudent and moderate manner, with the aim of safeguarding national security and better fulfilling international obligations.

Recently, we have regulated dual-use items that have obvious military and civilian attributes. China's implementation of export controls on these items reflects a firm stance on maintaining world peace and regional stability, which not only helps ensure China's own security but also contributes to global common security, Meng said.