AFP: According to a report yesterday by the Financial Times, Japan is months away from running out of supplies of the critical rare earth yttrium, and has asked the United States for help with encouraging China to ease related export controls. Does the foreign ministry have comments on this? Mao Ning: China implements export controls on Japan in accordance with the laws and regulations. The aim is to thwart Japan’s remilitarization and attempt to possess nuclear weapons. China’s position of keeping the global industrial and supply chains of critical minerals safe and stable has not changed. All parties have the responsibility to play a constructive role to this end.