四国联手在华盛顿搞稀土，中国反手放大招，事情果然不简单

Group 1 - The "Quad Critical Minerals Initiative" was launched by the foreign ministers of the US, Japan, India, and Australia to create an "Indo-Pacific Rare Earth Alliance" aimed at ensuring the security and diversification of critical mineral supply chains [1][3] - China's revised Mineral Resources Law represents the most significant institutional response in 29 years, expanding from 53 to 80 articles and formally listing rare earths as strategic minerals, indicating a shift to a rigid legal framework for resource control [3][6] - The global rare earth refining capacity is dominated by China, holding over 90% of the capacity and 92% of the refining capacity along with 37 unique purification patents, creating significant technological barriers for competitors [3][5] Group 2 - Following China's export controls on certain rare earths, prices for dysprosium oxide surged to $850 per kilogram, causing international market disruptions [5] - The US company MP Materials claims a production target of 15,000 tons by 2025, but actual quarterly output remains at 500 tons, highlighting challenges in establishing a complete supply chain among the Quad nations [5][6] - The Quad nations are exploring alternative methods such as extracting rare earths from electronic waste in Southeast Asia, which requires Japanese technology and international collaboration, complicating their efforts [6][8] Group 3 - China's new management structure for rare earths includes a clear division between military and civilian resources, allowing for more strategic control in resource competition [6][8] - The competition for rare earths is not only about resource acquisition but also about establishing rules and frameworks, with China having made significant legal revisions to strengthen its position [8]