The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

Asked about the considerations behind a recently launched special operation to combat the smuggling of strategic minerals, and what other work will be carried out, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Monday that strengthening export controls on strategic mineral resources is related to national security and China's development interests. 

Since China implemented export controls on some strategic minerals, it has found that some overseas entities have colluded with domestic illegal personnel to circumvent export control measures through smuggling and other means, the spokesperson noted.

In order to curb smuggling, the Office of the National Export Control Coordination Mechanism, which is focused on combating the smuggling of strategic minerals, on May 9 held an on-site meeting in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, and made special arrangements, according to the spokesperson.

This measure effectively promotes and regulates the enforcement of export controls on strategic mineral resources. It will enhance implementation and refine institutional frameworks in terms of methods, scope, timing and intensity, thereby strengthening the protection of strategic (rare) mineral resources and mitigating the environmental damage caused by overexploitation, Wu Chenhui, an independent analyst who closely follows the critical minerals industry, told the Global Times on Monday, adding that the action aligns with national practices, international norms and international law.

A series of actions will be organized in the near future, the spokesperson said, adding that relevant departments will strictly and promptly investigate and deal with illegal cases, continuously improve the effectiveness of export control law enforcement, and effectively safeguard national security and China's development interests.

On Monday, the MOFCOM said in a statement that the Office of the National Export Control Coordination Mechanism held a meeting in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province, on Monday, to strengthen full-chain oversight of strategic mineral exports. The meeting was also attended by local authorities from key resource-rich provinces, including North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, East China's Jiangxi Province and other provinces.

The meeting emphasized that export controls on strategic minerals are essential to safeguarding national security and development interests, highlighting the need for comprehensive, full-chain oversight, according to the statement.

Authorities at all levels were urged to step up training, guidance and routine supervision of relevant entities, adopt a proactive and preventive approach, closely track the flow of strategic minerals, strengthen information sharing and risk assessment, and ensure timely warnings and responses to prevent illegal outflows, the ministry stressed.

On April 4, in a joint announcement, the MOFCOM and the General Administration of Customs unveiled export control measures on certain items related to seven types of medium and heavy rare earths, per a notice on the MOFCOM's official website.

The meeting on Monday also called on relevant departments to carry out their regulatory responsibilities across the entire supply chain including mining, smelting, processing, transportation, manufacturing, sales and exports, according to their respective mandates, according to the MOFCOM.

Proactive measures in the trade of dual-use items help prevent their misuse for weapons development that threatens human dignity and global security, Wu said. 

China's crackdown on the smuggling of strategic mineral exports is a crucial step to safeguard national security and stabilize industrial and supply chains, Wang Guoqing, research director at the Beijing Lange Steel Information Research Center, told the Global Times on Monday, adding that it underscores the country's strategic resolve to balance security and development amid a challenging global environment.

"China's campaign against strategic mineral smuggling is vital to safeguarding core interests and reflects its commitment to global governance," Wang said. By balancing security and openness through legal and technological means, it strengthens resource safeguards and offers a "China solution," Wang noted.

Wang emphasized that as oversight improves and international cooperation deepens, China's export control practices will play an increasingly important role in global security governance.