Rare earth Photo:VCG

China's exports of rare earths in May increased by 23 percent from April to 5,864.60 tons, with total exports from January to May growing by 2.3 percent year-on-year to 24,827 tons, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on Monday. 

The export volumes remain normal, and align with the country's foreign trade policy and the recent policies of relevant departments to meet global rare-earth demand, Wu Chenhui, an independent analyst who closely follows the critical minerals industry, told the Global Times on Monday.

China's regulatory measures on rare earths fully comply with international norms, Wang Guoqing, research director at the Beijing Lange Steel Information Research Center, told the Global Times on Monday.

As a critical resource with both military and civilian applications, rare earths are widely used in strategic sectors such as lasers, radar, new energy, and aerospace, Wang said, adding that many countries, including the EU and the US, similarly designate them as key assets for protection and China's approach is both justified and necessary.

In response to questions on whether there are plans to open the green channel or more green channels for other countries or regions and whether a similar channel will be opened to the US as China on Saturday said it was willing to speed up an approval process for rare earth magnets to Europe with a "green channel," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday referred the specific questions to competent authorities. 

On Saturday, a MOFCOM statement revealed that Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said that China 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, during a meeting with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic in Paris on June 3

On the same day, a MOFCOM spokesperson responded to concerns over China's export controls on rare earths in a separate statement, stating that China enforces export controls on rare earths and related items according to the law to better safeguard its national security and interests, as well as to fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation. 

This reflects China's consistent stance on upholding world peace and regional stability, the spokesperson said. 

The spokesperson noted that as a responsible country, China fully considers the legitimate needs and concerns of other nations. It reviews export license applications for rare earths and related items in line with laws and regulations, has approved a number of compliant applications, and will continue to strengthen the approval process for such applications.