BEIJING - China's recent export control measures on rare earth and related items have no connection with Pakistan, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

These measures are legitimate practices adopted by the Chinese government to improve its own export control system in accordance with laws and regulations, Lin noted.

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Lin made these remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on media reports that claimed Pakistan, using Chinese equipment and technology, was exporting rare earth to the United States, which allegedly prompted China to introduce new strict regulations on controlling the export of rare earth-related technologies.