China's position on safeguarding industrial, supply chains of critical minerals unchanged: spokesperson

BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's position on keeping the global industrial and supply chains of critical minerals safe and stable has not changed, and all parties have the responsibility to play a constructive role to this end, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday.

Guo made the remarks at a regular news briefing in response to a query noting that China's restrictions this year on rare earth exports to Japan have affected American supply chains.

Guo stated that on the rare earth exports restriction, in accordance with laws and regulations, China prohibits the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users and for Japan's military use, and any export that could help enhance Japan's military capabilities. The aim is to thwart Japan's remilitarization and attempt to possess nuclear weapons, he added.