BEIJING — China has intensified its trade confrontation with Japan by initiating an anti-dumping investigation into imported dichlorosilane, a specialized chemical gas vital for semiconductor manufacturing. This move comes just one day after Beijing imposed restrictions on exports of dual-use technologies with potential military applications to Japan.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced Wednesday that domestic producers had formally petitioned for the probe, citing a substantial 31% price decline for Japanese dichlorosilane between 2022 and 2024. According to the ministry’s statement, ‘The dumping of imported products from Japan has severely undermined the production and operational stability of our domestic industry.’
These economic measures reflect Beijing’s growing dissatisfaction with Tokyo’s political positioning regarding Taiwan. Tensions intensified following recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting potential military intervention should China take action against Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province.
The diplomatic rift widened further when Japanese legislator Hei Seki (also known as Yo Kitano) visited Taiwan on Tuesday and publicly referred to it as an independent nation. China had previously sanctioned Seki for disseminating what it termed ‘fallacies’ about Taiwan and other disputed territories. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed Seki’s comments as ‘the nasty words of a petty villain.’
Amid the escalating tensions, speculation mounts that China might impose restrictions on rare earth exports to Japan, mirroring previous measures implemented during its trade dispute with the United States. China dominates global production of heavy rare earths essential for manufacturing high-strength magnets used in defense systems and electric vehicles.
While no official announcements have been made regarding rare earths, China Daily—considered a government mouthpiece—quoted anonymous sources indicating Beijing is evaluating tighter export controls on certain rare earth materials to Japan.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry has urged China to revoke the trade restrictions, with Masaaki Kanai, head of Asia Oceanian Affairs, calling measures exclusively targeting Japan ‘unacceptable deviations from international practice.’ Tokyo has not yet announced retaliatory actions.
Notably, as relations with Japan deteriorate, China has actively strengthened ties with South Korea. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung concluded a four-day visit to China on Wednesday, during which both nations signed 24 cooperation agreements valued at $44 million across technology, trade, and environmental sectors. Chinese media highlighted that South Korea has surpassed Japan as the top destination for outbound flights from mainland China, amid official travel advisories warning of safety risks for Chinese citizens in Japan.