BEIJING - A Chinese trade official on Thursday denied a New York Times report that China had banned exports of rare earths to Japan following the detention of a Chinese trawler captain near the Diaoyu Islands.

The report, which was sourced to unnamed industry experts, said an initial trade embargo on all exports of rare earth minerals would last through the end of this month.

"China has not issued any measures intended to restrict rare earth exports to Japan. There is no foundation for that," said Chen Rongkai, a spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce.