Core Insights - China is tightening control over strategic resources, specifically antimony and gallium, which are critical for high-tech industries such as semiconductors, 5G, and electric vehicles [1][3][4] - Antimony is essential for stabilizing semiconductor performance, while gallium is crucial for components in 5G technology and LED screens [3][4] - China's dominance in the global supply of these materials is significant, with nearly 40% of antimony reserves and over 80% of gallium production concentrated in the country [3][4] Antimony and Gallium Importance - Antimony serves as a stabilizer in semiconductor manufacturing, enhancing the efficiency of current conduction in transistors [1][3] - Gallium is indispensable for high-frequency applications in 5G and is a key component in LED technology and satellite communications [3][4] Global Supply Dynamics - China controls over 90% of the high-purity antimony processing capacity, making it a critical player in the supply chain [3][4] - The extraction of gallium is technically challenging, as it is derived from aluminum ore processing waste, further solidifying China's position in the market [3][4] Strategic Resource Management - The scarcity of antimony and gallium, along with the difficulty in finding suitable substitutes, makes China's control over these resources even more critical compared to rare earth elements [4][6] - China's management of these resources is a response to past experiences of being "choked" by foreign restrictions on technology and materials [4][6] Long-term Vision - The current strategy aims to ensure sustainable resource management for future generations, avoiding the pitfalls of past resource exploitation [6][8] - By regulating the supply of antimony and gallium, China seeks to encourage global industries to diversify their supply chains and reduce dependency on a single source [8]
中国管控锑镓:比稀土更狠的 “破局棋”,不是卡脖子而是护家底
Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-08-25 15:25