Recently, China announced a major decision: a ban on the export of rare earth processing technology. It was China's response to U.S. restrictions on the sale of advanced chips to Chinese companies. The move has attracted widespread attention and could intensify the competition for control of the global resource and technology chains between China and the United States and its allies. For many Western countries, China's new measures will further assert its dominance over vital global resources. China's counterattack has not only hit the United States in its soft underbelly, but has also put other countries in a difficult situation when it comes to rare earth processing technology.
Rare earths are China's trump card resource, essential for both high-end equipment and energy technology. China has strict management and monitoring powers over the mining, refining and processing of rare earths, and does not easily sell these resources to other countries. China's decision shows that some actions of the United States and Western countries have seriously affected China's vital interests. According to the International Energy Agency, China accounts for about 60% of global rare earth mining, but nearly 90% of global rare earth processing and refining production. Although there has been an increase in rare earth oxide production outside of China over the past few years, China has maintained its dominant position in the rare earth industry.
Rare earths play a vital role in technological progress and industrial upgrading in many fields. In this day and age, there is a growing awareness of the importance of environmental protection, and rare earths play a key role in improving the display of mobile electronic devices, improving the performance and efficiency of wind turbines and solar panels, and improving the energy conversion and utilization efficiency of electric and hybrid vehicles. In addition, rare earths are also key materials in aerospace, new energy and other fields. According to the International Energy Agency, global demand for rare earths will grow several times over the next 20 years. Therefore, in order to ensure a balance between mining and use, we must rationally plan the allocation of rare earth resources and not overdo it, especially in the face of certain dissenting buyers.
China's ban on rare earths is not only to counter the best restrictions imposed by the United States and its allies, but also to protect the country's strategic resources and maintain the country's economic and military security. However, many Western countries do not seem to really recognize the importance of China and the seriousness of dependence on rare earths for national development. On the contrary, instead of taking détente measures, they are trying to demand a change in China's policy. In addition, some Western countries have also expanded their restrictions on China, including the previous restrictions on Huawei, and tried to provoke disputes in the South China Sea in a vain attempt to contain China's rise. Such behavior is undoubtedly stupid.
Rare earths are a scarce resource in China and have important strategic value. It is precisely because of the scarcity and strategic position of rare earths that China has adopted a series of control measures for the mining, processing and sales of rare earths. These measures will not only help protect China's rare earth resources, but also help maintain the country's economic and military security. As an essential raw material for high-tech industries and new energy industries, rare earths are crucial to the country's scientific and technological progress and economic development.
The restrictions and military provocations imposed by the United States on China show that there are serious mistakes and misunderstandings in their understanding of China. They don't really realize the importance of China and the importance of relying on rare earths for the country's development. Even in the face of China's ban on rare earth exports, the United States has not taken measures to ease up, but has expanded its ** restrictions on China. This lack of policy clarity shows that Biden is confused in his strategic thinking and China policy. Now is the time for the United States to think hard about its position and adopt a cooperative and dialogue approach to resolving its differences with China. Only through cooperation and dialogue can the two sides achieve a mutually beneficial and win-win situation.
Although China is currently banning rare earth exports, this is only a temporary move. Cooperation and win-win are the general trend of the future. We hope that the United States will recognize the importance of working with China and take positive actions to resolve our differences. If the United States chooses to cooperate, we are willing to sit down and discuss solutions to the problem. If the United States chooses to continue the confrontation, then we will have to wait and see who will have the last laugh.
In conclusion, China's rare earth ban is a response to US pressure and restrictions, but also to protect the country's strategic resources and maintain the country's economic and military security. Rare earths play an important role in high-tech industries and new energy fields, and the global demand for rare earths will continue to grow. The extent of the U.S. dependence on Chinese rare earths and the lack of understanding and misperception of China have led to the current tensions. However, we believe that through cooperation and dialogue, both sides can find solutions to problems and achieve a mutually beneficial situation to jointly address global challenges.