Gallium and Germanium Export Restrictions by China: South Korea Calls for Rational Management

Explanation of the 'Supply Chain' Agenda at the Korea-China Economic Joint Committee
South Korea: "Our Companies Should Not Suffer Negative Impact"

At the Korea-China Economic Joint Committee held on the 29th, it was reported that there was a discussion regarding China’s implementation of the ‘gallium and germanium export restrictions’.

Chinese authorities have been enforcing export restrictions on gallium and germanium, key materials required for semiconductor and solar panel manufacturing, since the 1st of this month.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 31st during a meeting with reporters that regarding China’s measures, the Ministry conveyed the position that “we hope the export control procedures will be operated reasonably so as not to negatively impact our companies.” In response, the Chinese side reportedly said that “this is a restriction, not a ban on exports, and if permission applications are submitted according to procedures, they will be approved.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Oh Young-joo, the 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, held the 27th Korea-China Economic Joint Committee with Li Fei, Deputy Minister of Commerce of China, on the 29th in Beijing, China. The photo shows Oh Young-joo, 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Li Fei, Deputy Minister of Commerce of China, posing for a commemorative photo. (Source=Yonhap News)

The Korea-China Economic Joint Committee is an annual vice-ministerial consultation body between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea and the Ministry of Commerce of China, regularly held since 1993, shortly after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It comprehensively discusses economic and trade agendas. However, due to COVID-19, the meetings in 2021 and 2022 were held virtually.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said that for the first time, “stable management of supply chains was discussed as a major agenda item at this Korea-China Economic Joint Committee,” and added, “we emphasized to the Chinese side the necessity of smoothly maintaining supply chain cooperation between the two countries for raw materials and components.”

Additionally, both Korea and China discussed ▲progress in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) service and investment negotiations ▲restoration of cultural content exchanges and intellectual property rights protection at this Economic Joint Committee. Oh Young-joo, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Korea’s chief representative, reportedly explained Korea’s position regarding the restoration of cultural content exchanges between Korea and China, mentioning ▲game licensing (service permits) ▲film screenings ▲K-pop ▲online video services (OTT), among others.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.