China has introduced explicit measures further tightening restrictions on exports of rare earths and related technologies.
According to the "Decision on export control of rare earth materials outside the territory (overseas)" announced by China's Ministry of Commerce on the 9th, ▲ samarium ▲ dysprosium ▲ gadolinium ▲ terbium ▲ lutetium ▲ scandium ▲ yttrium metals, and ▲ samarium-cobalt alloy ▲ terbium-iron alloy ▲ dysprosium-iron alloy ▲ terbium-dysprosium-iron alloy ▲ dysprosium oxide ▲ terbium oxide were included among the items subject to export control.
These materials can be exported overseas only with a dual-use items export license (items that can be used for both military and civilian purposes) issued by China's Ministry of Commerce.
In addition, rare earth permanent magnet materials and rare earth target materials manufactured overseas that contain, combine, or mix these materials were also included among the items subject to export control, and exports are likewise controlled if they were produced overseas using technologies such as mining and smelting/separation, metallurgy, magnetic material manufacturing, and recovery of secondary rare earth resources.
The Chinese government's position is that, in principle, it will not approve export applications for rare earths to overseas military corporations or to corporations and end users (including subsidiaries and branches with 50% or more equity) on the export control "watch list."
Export applications for rare earths to be used in semiconductor manufacturing and test equipment, and for rare earths for artificial intelligence (AI) research and development with potential military use, must undergo individual review.
China said the announcement strengthens previous export control measures to prevent circumvention.
A Spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said, "For some time, certain overseas organizations and individuals have provided controlled Chinese rare earth materials to related organizations and individuals, which directly or indirectly were used in sensitive areas such as the military, causing significant damage and a potential threat to China's national security and interests."
He added, "We have also discovered overseas organizations and individuals illegally acquiring rare earth technologies in China to produce rare earth materials and provide them to, or use them for, users in sensitive areas," and emphasized, "China is willing to ensure the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains through multilateral and bilateral export control dialogue mechanisms."