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 Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) Spokesman He Yadong, adding that 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 controls on seven types of medium and heavy rare earth elements to better protect national security and fulfill related international obligations. Rare earths are 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% year-on-year, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). The export increase indicates that global demand for Chinese rare earths remains strong, said Ding Rijia, Professor specializing in industrial supply chain operations at the 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.
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, the China Daily reports.
