中国为什么现在才亮出稀土这张王牌？两年前，有一种气，曾比芯片更能卡我们的脖子！

Core Viewpoint - China has officially implemented export controls on rare earth materials to the United States, marking a significant shift in its strategic approach to leverage its dominance in the rare earth market [1][11]. Group 1: Historical Context - In 2010, China restricted rare earth exports to Japan amid geopolitical tensions, which led to international backlash and accusations of violating WTO rules [3][5]. - During that period, rare earth prices were extremely low, with one kilogram of rare earth oxide priced at only a few dozen yuan, while processed high-end products sold for thousands of yuan [3][5]. - Foreign countries, particularly the U.S., heavily relied on Chinese rare earth materials while simultaneously blocking China from accessing critical separation technologies [5][7]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - Chinese researchers, including notable figures like Academician Xu Guangxian and Academician Yan Chunhua, made significant breakthroughs in rare earth separation technology, achieving a purity level of 99.999% within five years [9][10]. - China now leads the world in both rare earth reserves and separation technology, capable of producing high-purity products and controlling 85% of the global market for rare earth permanent magnet materials [11]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The timing of China's export controls is strategic, as the U.S. is attempting to rebuild its rare earth supply chain, which could take 10 to 15 years and would be significantly more costly than China's operations [13]. - The narrative emphasizes the importance of mastering core technologies and maintaining a complete industrial chain to avoid dependency on foreign resources, transforming past vulnerabilities into strategic advantages [13].