Hong Kong’s Trade and Industry Department is asking industry to submit permit applications and reports for activities involving certain chemicals controlled by the Chemical Weapons Convention, the agency said July 7. Hong Kong requires operators of certain facilities that work with the chemicals to submit annual reports, which are then submitted to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the international implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The annual reports must contain details about past and “anticipated activities” involving controlled chemicals. Violators of the reporting requirements, including facilities operating without the required permits, may face fines and imprisonment. Facilities must report certain activities by July 21.
Japan plans to “compare notes” with the U.S. and other Group of 7 countries on risks posed by outbound investments, said Keiichi Ono, Japan’s senior deputy minister for foreign affairs. But Ono stopped short of saying Japan will implement new outbound screening measures, saying the country is still studying the restrictions.
China implemented export restrictions on gallium- and germanium-related items, which are used to make semiconductors and other key technology, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced, according to an unofficial translation. The restrictions will start Aug. 1 and are to protect China's national security, the ministry said. China is the top producer of the two metals, which are also used in solar panels, lasers and night-vision goggles. Gallium and germanium exporters will be required to apply for a license and report on their international buyers.
Indonesia plans to put in place a ban on single-use plastics by the end of 2029, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported June 29. The ban will cover a range of plastic imports, including single‑use plastic shopping bags, plastic straws and cutler and styrofoam food packaging.
Quantum Machines, a quantum control systems provider, announced agreements last week with three South Korean research and investment organizations to help foster “international collaboration” within the industry. Under the memorandums of understanding, Quantum Machines will link Korean researchers with the Israeli Quantum Computing Center to help “facilitate knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and joint research efforts,” the company said in a June 28 news release. The Korean entities include the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, the Korea Quantum Computing Industry Leaders' Alliance and Orientom.
China last week issued a new “foreign relations law” that could bolster the country’s ability to respond to foreign trade restrictions, including sanctions. The law, adopted by the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress and effective July 1, says that China can take “law enforcement and judicial measures” to protect its national interests and those of its companies against restrictions imposed by other countries, and “has the right to take corresponding countermeasures and restrictive measures,” according to an unofficial translation of the document. The law specifically authorizes China to use “legislation, law enforcement, and judicial means to fight against acts of containment, interference, sanctions, and sabotage.”
Japan and Bolivia signed a customs mutual assistance agreement last week that will provide the customs authorities of both countries with information on illicit drug smuggling and will simplify and harmonize "customs procedures, as well as effective border controls," Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Both customs administrations will exchange information that will "contribute to ensuring the proper application of customs laws."
The U.S. is “overstretching the national security concept” and “abusing export control tools,” a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry told reporters June 30, according to a transcript in English of the regular press conference where the comment was made. The spokesperson, asked about recent steps taken by the Netherlands to restrict exports of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment (see 2306300028) and potential future controls imposed by the Biden administration (see 2306290048), said the U.S. is “using all sorts of pretexts to cajole or coerce other countries into joining its technological blockade against China.” The country will “closely monitor relevant developments and firmly defend our lawful rights and interests.”
Bangladesh will phase out import duties on 425 types of goods, covering apparel, fish, food items, chemicals and more, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported June 23. The government also plans to withdraw “between 1,200 and 1,300 types of supplementary duties” over the next three years to “reduce import‑export trade barriers,” the report said.
India placed new export restrictions on various chrome ore lumps, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in a June 22 notice. The directorate placed goods traded under five different Harmonized System codes that start with 2610 under the "Restricted" export policy. The restrictions cover chrome ore lumps containing 47% Cr203 and above, those with 40% or more but less than 47% Cr203 and those below 40% Cr203, as well as "chrome ore friable and concentrates fixes containing 47% Cr203 and above," and "other."