A 2-inch wafer of gallium oxide Photo: VCG

China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) has publicized a case involving a failed attempt by Chinese and foreign parties to smuggle gallium out of the country, as gallium is an essential mineral for the production of semiconductor chips that has been included on China’s export control list, according to a message posted Monday on the ministry’s official Wechat account.

Citing this case as an example, the ministry reminded the Chinese public of the importance of safeguarding the security of key mineral resources, while calling for vigilance against espionage and intelligence activities targeting China’s strategic and critical mineral resources. carried out by foreign spy agencies and their agents.

According to the message, after receiving a relevant report, national security officials established that a foreigner surnamed Du was attempting to transport a bottle containing gallium in his luggage abroad. The attempt was quickly foiled.

The investigation found that Du did not know the item was gallium, which is on China’s export control list, and Du was instructed by an employee of a domestic metallurgical company named Tang to transport it out of the country. Given the small quantity and lack of substantial damage, security authorities only criticized and educated Du in accordance with the law and informed him of China’s export control regulations.

The ministry opened an investigation into Tang and his company and found that Tang was acting under the instructions of a foreigner named Fan. Although Tang was fully aware that gallium was a controlled product, he succumbed to “financial temptation” and devised a plan to evade regulation by entrusting Du with transporting the gallium overseas.

As a result, a joint police action was taken, and the company and responsible parties would face legal sanctions.

As a reminder, the ministry noted that rare metals such as gallium are key strategic resources for China’s development amid the current profound changes in the international landscape, and they constitute the key material basis to support the new energy transformation, technological progress and industrial development. modernization, which are essential to China’s development and national security.

“National security authorities have stepped up precautions and legal action against foreign spy agencies and their agents attempting to steal intelligence on critical, including strategic, mineral resources,” MSS said, while encouraging the public Chinese to report any suspicious activity to the relevant departments.

Since August 1, 2023, China has implemented export controls on gallium and germanium-related products to maintain national security. Industry insiders stressed that the export restrictions are in line with international practices and do not target any particular country.

World Time