Rare earth Photo:VCG

China reiterated on Thursday its clear stance on export control measures, which are in line with international practice and aimed at better safeguarding global peace and regional stability. At the same time, China is working to optimize the licensing process and shorten review times to facilitate compliant trade.

As a responsible nation, China has stepped up efforts to ensure the smooth flow of compliant items, contributing to the stability of global industrial and supply chains, a Chinese expert said.

However, the US has repeatedly resorted to groundless accusations and unilateral measures targeting China, which the expert said will not help in resolving trade issues. 

Reiterated stances

When asked by the media for a comment about US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's remarks describing China's rare earth export controls as "China versus the world," and he called on US allies to "work together to de-risk and diversify our supply chains away from China as quickly as possible," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at the regular conference on Thursday that Chinese competent authorities have stated on multiple occasions China's position on the export control measures on rare earths.

China's export control measures are consistent with international practice and are taken to better safeguard world peace and regional stability, and to fulfill China's non-proliferation and other international obligations.

On Wednesday, Bessent claimed at a CNBC-hosted forum in Washington that "We're going to have a fulsome, group response to this [rare earth issue]," Bloomberg reported.

The recent US moves are driven by its own strategic and political calculations, He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that the US has been habitually resorting to unilateral actions.

China's measures are rule-based rather than arbitrary, he emphasized.

"Given the military applications of rare earths, it is necessary to prevent them from being diverted to military use or falling into the hands of terrorists through third parties," He Weiwen said, adding that "this does not mean exports for general civilian use are prohibited; rather, efforts have been made to facilitate compliant trade."

Responding to a media inquiry claiming that some European companies have had to suspend production while waiting for Chinese authorities' approval of their rare earth export applications, and asking whether the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) would consider setting up a green channel to ease the pressure on these companies, He Yongqian, a MOFCOM spokesperson, said at a regular press conference on Thursday that rare earths and related items have clear dual-use characteristics. 

The spokesperson said that China's implementation of export controls on such items in accordance with the law is a legitimate act to improve its export control system, safeguard national security and interests, and fulfill its international non-proliferation obligations.

The newly introduced rare earth export control measures are a normal step by the Chinese government to enhance its export control framework in line with laws and regulations, and are not directed at any specific country or region, the spokesperson said, noting that as long as export applications are compliant and for civilian use, they can be approved. 

Regarding the green channel, He Yongqian noted that China has been continuously optimizing the licensing process during implementation, shortening review times, and actively considering facilitation measures such as applying general license exemptions to effectively promote compliant trade.

Open to equal talks

While unfairly accusing China, the US treasury chief also claimed there's a "very good chance" that he heads out to Asia before the US president and meets with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, according to the report.

In response to a question about whether China and the US will hold a new round of economic and trade talks in recent time, following Bessent's recent remark that he expects to meet with the Chinese Vice Premier before the APEC meeting, the spokesperson He Yongqian said on Thursday that China has always maintained an open attitude toward equal consultations based on mutual respect.

"China has repeatedly demonstrated its sincerity and openness to talks over the trade dispute. However, such discussions must be based on mutual respect and equality," He Weiwen said, noting that groundless accusations and unilateral actions against China cannot serve as a precondition for talks nor be the proper way to get along with China.

"The US needs to return to the negotiating table promptly, demonstrate sincerity and respect, and work toward an arrangement acceptable to both sides," Huo Jianguo, vice chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The US cannot keep on resorting to underhanded tactics or breaking its own commitments, Huo said, noting that joint efforts for the world two largest economies are crucial to resolving the trade issue, which affects not only the bilateral relations but also the stability of the global economy.