CHINA banned exports of dual-use goods that can serve military purposes to Japan today, coming at time of heightened tensions between the countries over Taiwan.

Items which can serve both civilian and military purposes are covered by the ban, the Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement.

Any individual or organisation that violates the rule by transferring or providing these made-in-China products to Japanese groups and people would face legal consequences, regardless of where they are from, it said.

The notice did not identify or describe specific items, but some exports — particularly in the technology sector such as drones and navigation systems — could be adapted for military use. There was no immediate reaction from Japan.

Relations between the countries worsened late last year after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said its military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan.

However, article nine of Japan’s post-WWII constitution renounces war as a means to settle international disputes and forbids the government from deploying its troops overseas.

In December, Japan claimed Chinese military aircraft locked radar on its fighter jets even though there was a safe distance between them.

Tokyo is barrelling forward with efforts to significantly boost its military capabilities by doubling annual arms spending.

In his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Beijing on Monday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping mentioned China’s and South Korea’s historical rivalry against Japan, calling on the two countries to “join hands to defend the fruits of victory in World War II and safeguard peace and stability in north-east Asia.”