rare earth Photo:VCG

China is willing to establish a green channel for eligible applications from the EU to accelerate rare-earth export approvals, Chinese Commerce Minister has said, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Saturday. 

During meeting with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic in Paris on June 3, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao further clarified China's export control policies, emphasizing that such controls on rare earths and other items are in line with common international practices, the MOFCOM said in a statement. 

Wang said China values the EU's concerns and is willing to establish a green channel for eligible applications to accelerate approvals for rare-earth exports, while instructing working-level teams to maintain timely communication, according to MOFCOM. 

Wang also expressed hope that the EU would meet China halfway by taking effective steps to facilitate, safeguard, and promote the compliant trade of high-tech products with China, the MOFCOM said. 

The Global Times reported in late May that Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao will meet EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic on the sidelines of a WTO ministerial meeting in Paris, France in early June, citing a source familiar with the matter.

"The two sides will conduct in-depth exchanges on the important topic of China-EU economic and trade cooperation, and make preparations for China-EU high-level exchanges," the source said.