BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday added 20 Japanese entities, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shipbuilding Co., to its export control list to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation.

Export operators are prohibited from exporting dual-use items to the entities, which are involved in enhancing Japan's military capabilities. Overseas organizations and individuals are prohibited from transferring or providing dual-use items originating in China to the entities. Any related activities currently underway shall be halted immediately, according to an announcement released by the ministry.

Also on Tuesday, the ministry placed 20 Japanese entities, including SUBARU Corporation, on a watch list, as their end-users and end-uses of dual-use items cannot be verified.

The Ministry of Commerce will implement stricter reviews of end-users and end-uses for exports of dual-use items to entities on the watch list, and will not approve any exports involving Japanese military end-users, military end-uses, or any other end-users and end-use that contribute to enhancing Japan's military capabilities.

A spokesperson for the ministry stated that the aforementioned measures were taken in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, including the country's export control law and the export control regulation for dual-use items.

The objective is to stop Japan's remilitarization and its attempts to possess nuclear weapons, said the spokesperson in response to a media inquiry, stressing that the measures are completely justified, reasonable and lawful.

China's lawful listing actions target only a minority of Japanese entities, and the relevant measures apply solely to dual-use items, said the spokesperson.

This will not affect normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan, and Japanese entities that act in good faith and comply with the law have absolutely no cause for concern, the spokesperson said.