中国周三为针对日本的稀土出口限制措施进行辩护，称这些措施旨在防止东京“重新军事化”以及获取核武器的企图。
China on Wednesday defended its rare-earth export restrictions on Japan, saying the measures were intended to prevent Tokyo’s “remilitarization” and efforts to acquire nuclear weapons.
中国外交部发言人毛宁在北京举行的例行新闻发布会上表示，这些限制措施是依据中国法律法规实施的。
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular news briefing in Beijing that the restrictions were imposed in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations.
毛宁是在回应《金融时报》的一篇报道。该报道称，在关键稀土元素钇的供应日益减少之际，日本曾寻求美国协助，劝说北京放松出口管制。
Mao was responding to a Financial Times report that Japan had sought US assistance in persuading Beijing to ease export controls amid dwindling supplies of yttrium, a critical rare-earth element.
毛宁表示：“中国维护全球关键矿产产业链和供应链稳定与安全的立场没有改变。”她并补充说，各方都应发挥建设性作用。
“China’s position on maintaining the stability and security of global critical mineral production and supply chains remains unchanged,” Mao said, adding that all parties should play a constructive role.
《金融时报》周二报道称，日本的钇库存可能在数月内耗尽，这可能会扰乱汽车、航空航天和半导体生产。
The Financial Times reported Tuesday that Japan could exhaust its yttrium stockpiles within months, potentially disrupting automotive, aerospace and semiconductor production.
该报援引日本官员的话称，东京已联系华盛顿和美国主要公司寻求干预。
Citing Japanese officials, the newspaper said Tokyo had approached Washington and major US companies seeking intervention.
钇用于喷气发动机和半导体设备的耐热涂层，其中国以外市场的价格在两年内飙升了179倍。
Yttrium, used in heat-resistant coatings for jet engines and semiconductor equipment, has seen prices outside China surge 179-fold over two years.
北京于2月收紧了对日本公司的出口管制，针对的是据称与军事生产有关联的企业。
Beijing tightened export controls on Japanese companies in February, targeting firms allegedly linked to military production.