China Defends Rare Earths Export Policies, in Press Conference
Responding to the World Trade Organization establishing a panel on China's export of rare earths, Zhu Hongren, chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, told a press conference July 25 in Beijing that China will continue to protect its rare earth resources while working to solve disputes with other countries.
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"In any case, the Chinese government will surely provide reasonable protection for rare earth resources and ensure environmental protection and sustainable development while making use of the resources," Zhu was quoted on the official government website as saying.
Zhu said China is willing to hold discussions and carry out full consultations within the WTO framework to solve the disputes. But he said the country's stepped up regulation on rare earth production and exports was aimed at protecting the environment, not at monopolizing the market. He said other countries "with rich rare earth resources have not mined their own land for environment protection or other reasons."
China has suspended issuing new licenses for rare earth prospecting and mining, imposed production caps and export quotas, and announced tougher environmental standards for the products.