Rare earth export controls to be better managed

China will further streamline the approval process for compliant rare earth export applications as part of broader efforts to maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, said the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.

Speaking at a weekly news briefing in Beijing, ministry spokesman He Yadong said China stands ready to enhance communication and dialogue with relevant countries on export control matters, with the aim of promoting legitimate, rules-based trade and facilitating the compliant flow of critical materials.

In line with relevant laws and regulations, the government has accelerated the review of export license applications for rare earths and has already approved a number of requests, said He.

In early April, China implemented export control measures on certain items related to seven types of medium and heavy rare earth elements to better protect national security and fulfill related international obligations.

Rare earths refer to elements that play key roles in modern technologies, including in smartphones, fighter jets and wind turbines.

China's leadership in the global rare earth sector, encompassing a substantial portion of mining and a considerable share of processing, has drawn "accusations" from some foreign critics that it may be seeking to "weaponize" these critical materials — an allegation they claim could "destabilize global supply chains".

Despite such concerns, China exported 5,865 metric tons of rare earth products in May, bringing total exports to 24,827 tons in the first five months, up 2.3 percent year-on-year, said the General Administration of Customs.

The export increase indicates that global demand for Chinese rare earths remains strong, said Ding Rijia, a professor specializing in industrial supply chain operations at China University of Mining and Technology in Beijing.

Noting that many Western countries have developed and released their own control lists of critical minerals, Ding said it is critical and necessary for China to improve its rare earth export policies. The recent export control measures can better regulate the management of its rare earth resources.

Wang Zhimin, a researcher at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies, which is part of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said China's export controls on rare earths and related items are consistent with widely accepted international practices and implemented within the framework of global trade rules.

"They also reflect legitimate concerns about the environmental harm that could arise from the overexploitation of these resources," said Wang, adding that China's policies in the rare earth sector have maintained an open and cooperative approach for civilian applications.

Underscoring this position, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, during his talks in Paris earlier this month with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic, explained China's export control policies to the European Union, emphasizing that the implementation of export controls on rare earth elements aligns with widely accepted international practices.

zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn