China's government says it will impose export controls on gallium and germanium -- rare metals used in the production of semiconductor materials.

China's commerce ministry and General Administration of Customs released a statement on Monday saying that China would implement export controls on items related to gallium and germanium, "in order to safeguard national security and interests."

China accounts for a large share of the global output of the materials. Large amounts of those metals are sent to Japan to satisfy the needs of Japanese companies.

Under the controls, exporters will be required to file an application with authorities, specifying who will be the end-users and how the materials will be used.

Their application must be vetted and approved before they can ship the products. Violators will face punishment.

The measures take effect on August 1.

The move was apparently in response to the US and its allies ratcheting up pressure on China's high-tech industries.

Washington has tightened restrictions on semiconductor exports to China. Japan also said it will implement stricter export controls on chip-making equipment starting on July 23.