China slams Japan’s plan to impose controls on semiconductor exports

China on Friday slammed Japan’s plan to impose controls on semiconductor exports, saying it would disrupt normal trade between the two countries’ companies and undermine their interests.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that Beijing reserves the right to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate interests, calling on Tokyo to reverse its decision and correct its actions as soon as possible to abide by international trade rules, promote economic cooperation between the two countries, and prevent relevant measures from hindering the healthy development of trade between them.

It explained that “for a long time, a few countries have generalized the concept of national security and abused export control measures” to what it called “suppress” China’s semiconductor industry and other Chinese industries, stressing that it is necessary to work together to maintain the stability and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains.