2 Japanese held in China over alleged rare earths smuggling

Lead

China has detained two Japanese nationals over alleged attempts to take rare earth-related products out of the country, according to reports from Deutsche Welle and the South China Morning Post. Tokyo confirmed the detentions on Wednesday, and Beijing said the two individuals were held in accordance with Chinese law.

Coverage Comparison

Deutsche Welle reported that Japan said Chinese authorities informed it of the detention of one citizen in Dalian on May 18 on suspicion of violating a law covering the smuggling of goods banned from trade. A second Japanese national was detained on the same allegation on May 25, Japan’s top government spokesperson, Minoru Kihara, told reporters.

The South China Morning Post reported that one of the detainees is an employee of a Japanese electric machinery maker’s China subsidiary, and was reportedly taken into custody in Dalian last month. The Post also noted that Chinese authorities had accused the two of violating laws governing the import and export of restricted goods.

The detentions coincide with new measures announced by China’s Ministry of Commerce to police rare earth exports, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The ministry said on Wednesday that it would reward companies and individuals for reporting suspected violations, with the measures taking effect on July 1. The announcement listed more than a dozen violations, including exports without required licenses and attempts to circumvent restrictions.

Key Claims

• China has detained two Japanese nationals over alleged attempts to take rare earth-related products out of the country, as reported by both Deutsche Welle and the South China Morning Post.
• One of the detainees is an employee of a Japanese electric machinery maker’s China subsidiary, taken into custody in Dalian, according to reports from both sources.
• Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the government would communicate with the individuals and parties involved and “respond appropriately from the standpoint of protecting nationals overseas.”
• Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed the detention, saying two Japanese nationals had been detained in accordance with Chinese law, and emphasized that Japan should remind its citizens and companies to abide by Chinese laws.
• The new measures to police rare earth exports, announced by China’s Ministry of Commerce, will take effect on July 1 and include rewards for reporting suspected violations, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
• China dominates global production and processing of rare earths, which are used in products ranging from electric vehicles to military equipment, according to Deutsche Welle.

Perspectives

Japan

The Japanese government, through Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, confirmed the detentions and said it would “respond appropriately from the standpoint of protecting nationals overseas.” A spokesperson from Japan’s consular offices in China, quoted by AFP, said the two individuals appeared to be in good health and that the government would take appropriate measures for their protection.

China

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed the detentions, saying the two Japanese nationals had been detained in accordance with Chinese law. He said China had notified the Japanese side of the relevant case details and stressed that Japan should educate and remind its citizens and companies in China to abide by Chinese laws and regulations.