Core Insights - The ongoing competition between China and the United States over rare earth elements (REE) has intensified, with China employing strategic measures to control its supply and protect its technological advantages [5][11][28] Group 1: Strategic Measures - China has implemented a command requiring domestic rare earth experts to surrender their passports, effectively restricting their ability to leave the country and preventing foreign entities from acquiring critical technical knowledge [11][13] - The export volume of rare earth magnets from China has significantly decreased, attributed to stricter approval processes for export licenses, which now require detailed explanations of the intended use and final destination of the products [20][22] Group 2: U.S. Response and Challenges - U.S. officials express concern over the dependency on Chinese rare earths, with statements indicating that achieving independence from this reliance could take at least a generation [15][19] - The U.S. lacks a complete supply chain for rare earths, facing challenges in mining, processing, and production, which complicates efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese supplies [16][17] Group 3: Global Market Dynamics - China dominates the global rare earth market, producing 60% of the world's supply and refining 90% of it, giving it a significant leverage in international trade [16] - The complexity of rare earth separation technology poses a barrier for Western countries attempting to replicate China's capabilities, as they struggle to find experienced personnel and effective operational methods [22][24] Group 4: Implications for National Security - The strategic importance of rare earths is underscored by their critical role in advanced military applications, with potential supply disruptions posing serious risks to national security for countries reliant on these materials [9][18] - The illicit export of rare earths has emerged as a concern, with reports of sophisticated smuggling operations aimed at circumventing Chinese export controls [19][20]
中国下令稀土技术大佬上交护照,这是在稀土方面和美国玩阳谋
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-06-28 14:07