ZGXT(SZ:000831) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-07-11 05:06Group 1 - China has implemented new export control policies on rare earth elements, specifically targeting seven categories including samarium and gadolinium, which are crucial for new energy and smart manufacturing, as well as military industries globally [1][3] - Over 60% of global rare earth mineral resources are mined in China, and over 92% of the refining processes are also conducted in China, indicating a significant dependency on Chinese resources [3][5] - Western countries, including the US, Australia, and India, are actively seeking alternative mineral resources in regions like Greenland, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, but establishing a complete rare earth supply chain could take 10 to 20 years, with additional time needed to match China's production capabilities [5][6] Group 2 - The complexity of rare earth processing requires substantial investment and skilled personnel, with estimates suggesting that initial investments could exceed trillions of dollars [5][6] - China's recent export controls are viewed as a more powerful economic tool compared to previous measures, emphasizing the potential impact on high-end manufacturing sectors in the West that rely on Chinese rare earth materials [5][6] - Despite recognizing the risks since a previous incident in 2010, the US has failed to make significant investments to diversify its rare earth supply sources over the past 15 years, leading to a reactive rather than proactive stance [6][8] Group 3 - China's Ministry of Commerce has clarified that the export control measures are in line with international practices aimed at national security and non-proliferation obligations, while still allowing for legal exports to meet reasonable civilian demands [6][8] - The ongoing competition for rare earth resources is expected to intensify, with experts suggesting that China will maintain its dominant position in the foreseeable future, leaving other countries struggling to find effective countermeasures [8]