Question: On October 9, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued an announcement to implement export controls on five items related to medium and heavy rare earths, including superhard materials, rare earth equipment and raw materials, holmium, lithium batteries and artificial graphite anode materials. May I ask what considerations China has for introducing export control policies this time?

A: In accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China Export Control Law, on October 9, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs issued an announcement on the implementation of export control measures for super hard materials, rare-earth equipment and raw materials, such as 5 medium-heavy rare earth, lithium batteries and artificial graphic negative materials related items, will be officially implemented on November 8.

The relevant items listed here have obvious military and civilian dual-use properties, China implemented export control measures in accordance with the law, in accordance with international practice, better safeguarded national security and interests, better fulfilled international obligations such as anti-proliferation.The Chinese government is willing to work with other countries to safeguard the stability and smoothness of the global supply chain, the relevant measures are not aimed at any country and region, for legal compliance with export applications, the Chinese side will give permission after review.At the same time, the Chinese side is willing to communicate with relevant parties on export control policy and practice, jointly promote and facilitate compliance trade through the bilateral export control dialogue mechanism.