MNI BRIEF: China Tightens Control On Rear Earth Tech Exports

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday that it will impose export controls on certain rare earth-related items and technologies.

The ministry said in a statement that authorities had discovered some foreign organisations and individuals had illegally obtained Chinese rare earth technologies, used them to produce related items, and supplied them to military or other sensitive sectors, causing “significant harm or potential threats to China’s national security and interests.”

However, it noted that the policy will include a transition period, adding that China remains willing to promote compliant trade through bilateral and multilateral export control dialogues and will adopt various licensing facilitation measures. (See MNI: Beijing Targets Trump Visit, Sees Limited Deal - Advisors)