The latest shot in a growing trade war between Beijing and Washington over access to high-tech microchips was fired on Monday when China's commerce ministry said that it would regulate exports of several metals that are frequently utilized in the semiconductor industry.
Exporters will have to apply for authorization to ship certain gallium and germanium items as a result of the regulations, which China claimed were designed to safeguard its safety and interests.
As Washington considers further limitations on the sale of high-tech microchips to China, the decision to control exports of rare elements that Beijing considers strategic has been made, according to media sources.
As part of measures in order to prevent their technology from being used to bolster China's military, the US and the Netherlands are also prepared to throw a double blow to China's semiconductor manufacturers this summer by further banning sales of chipmaking devices.
Eight goods related to gallium will be governed by Chinese regulations beginning on August 1: gallium antimonide, gallium metal, gallium arsenide, gallium nitride, gallium phosphide, gallium oxide, indium gallium arsenide and gallium selenide.
Additionally, they will apply to six different germanium goods: germanium dioxide, germanium ingot, epitaxial growth substrate, germanium metal, zinc germanium phosphide and germanium tetrachloride.
China's commerce ministry announced in a statement that exporters will have to go through the proper channels to get export licenses.
According to the statement, people who export these goods illegally or in excess of the allowed limits will face penalties.
Besides solar cells and fiber optic cables, germanium is also employed in infrared technologies.