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China MOFCOM rejects Japan’s call to lift rare earth export curbs, defends controls as ‘legal and legitimate’

China MOFCOM rejects Japan’s call to lift rare earth export curbs, defends controls as ‘legal and legitimate’

"Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian rejected Japan Prime Minister Takaichi’s request to withdraw China’s export control of rare earths to Japan, accusing Tokyo of distorting facts and fuelling concerns over remilitarisation at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday. “China firmly opposes and rejects (Takaichi's statements). The root cause of China's measures against Japan lies in Prime Minister Takaichi's erroneous words and actions, a fact well understood by the Japanese side,” said He. Takaichi has publicly protested China’s recent export controls on dual-use items, including certain rare earth elements, following Beijing’s decision to ban the sale of more than 800 items to end users deemed capable of supporting Japan’s military capabilities. He said the restrictions were implemented in line with Chinese laws and regulations, stressing that the ban applies to exports destined for Japanese military users as well as other end uses that could enhance Japan’s military strength. “It’s aimed at preventing ‘remilitarisation’ and attempts to acquire nuclear weapons, and is entirely legitimate, reasonable, and legal,” she reiterated. “The Japanese side, instead of facing the root cause of the problem, fabricates accusations of ‘economic coercion’ from China,” she added. The briefing also touched on broader trade issues. The spokesperson welcomed what she described as positive results in China’s electric vehicle dispute with the European Union, announced earlier this week after several rounds of consultations. Beijing and Brussels have agreed on the need to provide general guidance on price undertakings for Chinese companies exporting battery electric passenger cars to the EU. “A ‘soft landing’ for the EV dispute will significantly boost market confidence and inject new momentum into Sino-EU automotive trade and investment cooperation,” He said. Responding to a question on whether a free trade agreement could be reached during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing, He said China remains open to negotiating trade and investment agreements with willing partners. On Thursday, Carney began the first trip by a Canadian leader to China in eight years, during which he will meet President Xi Jinping. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the meeting as a ‘turning point’ that will open up new prospects for the Chinese-Canadian relationship."

Bridgerton showrunner teases who seasons five and six will focus on – and it could be real gay

Bridgerton showrunner teases who seasons five and six will focus on – and it could be real gay

It looks like Bridgerton‘s LGBTQ+ fans are finally getting what they’ve been hoping for after several years – a very queer love story. The fourth season of the popular Regency-era show is set to return at the end of the month. Focusing on the love story of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin […] The post Bridgerton showrunner teases who seasons five and six will focus on – and it could be real gay appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news .