In this week's top headlines, China has expanded its ban on imports from ten prefectures in Japan over concerns about radioactive pollution and said it will ban exports of gallium and germanium, which are used in semiconductors and electronics, in response to US restrictions.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden supported Sweden's NATO bid after meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister at the White House.
In entertainment news, Chinese-American pop singer Coco Lee died at age 48 after attempting suicide at home.
Biden's Support for Sweden's NATO Bid
US President Joe Biden informed Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson that he was "anxiously looking forward" to Sweden joining NATO to reinforce the Western alliance against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Due to Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's objections, Sweden is unlikely to attend a NATO meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, next week with Biden and other leaders.
Sweden has hosted Kurdish dissidents and refugees from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which Turkey considers a terrorist group.
NATO is wary of showing conflict at its annual meeting, particularly while the Ukraine situation continues. Sweden reversed decades of neutrality and applied to join NATO after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014.
Erdogan has invested substantially in the topic, arguing that the West does not take his worries about Kurdish terrorism seriously. All NATO members except Hungary have accepted Sweden's membership, whose foreign minister indicated his nation would sign off if Turkey did.
China's Ban on Japanese Seafood
China has expanded its ban on imports from ten prefectures in Japan, including Fukushima, due to concerns about the presence of radioactive pollution. In addition, it was agreed that no international cargo would be allowed to arrive in China without first being properly screened.
China's General Administration of Customs said the plan to discharge water from the 2011 nuclear catastrophe "failed to fully reflect expert opinions." The Chinese government is willing to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of local consumers.
It has been 12 years since China initially banned food imports from the ten prefectures of Japan in reaction to the nuclear meltdowns and hazardous material spills at the Fukushima nuclear power facility in northeastern Japan in March 2011.
China's Restriction on Gallium, Germanium Exports
China's Ministry of Commerce said that it will restrict exports of gallium and germanium, both of which find primary use in the semiconductor and electronics industries. This action was taken as retaliation for further limitations imposed by the USA.
Beginning on August 1, exporters will need to apply for and secure export permits in order to legally send the raw materials abroad.
Eight gallium-related products would be affected by Beijing's restrictions, namely:
- Gallium antimonide
- Gallium arsenide
- Gallium metal
- Gallium nitride
- Gallium oxide
- Gallium phosphide
- Gallium selenide
- Indium gallium arsenide
The following six germanium products would also be affected:
- Germanium dioxide
- Germanium epitaxial growth substrate
- Germanium ingot
- Germanium metal
- Germanium tetrachloride
- Zinc germanium phosphide
Coco Lee Dies at 48
Coco Lee, a 48-year-old Chinese American pop singer, died Wednesday, July 5.
The Mandapop singer was transported to the hospital over the weekend in severe condition after attempting suicide at home. Her older sisters, Carol and Nancy, stated she died in a coma.
Lee, who had been depressed for years, reportedly committed suicide close to the 30th anniversary of her profession.
Lee was well-known for lending her singing and acting talents to Fa Mulan in Disney's adaptation based on the Chinese ballad about the warrior heroine of the same name. She was the first Chinese-American Oscar performer.