美媒回顾中国六十年稀土发展历程，“注意：重点保密单位”

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the efforts of the West, particularly the U.S., to establish a domestic rare earth industry to reduce dependence on China, acknowledging the complexity and time required for such a transition [1]. Group 1: China's Dominance in Rare Earths - China accounts for over 60% of global rare earth production and holds a staggering 92% of the processing stage, indicating a near-monopoly in the global rare earth processing sector [1][5]. - The U.S. Geological Survey reported that from 2020 to 2023, 70% of rare earth compounds and metals imported by the U.S. came from China [1]. - The article emphasizes that China's core position in the rare earth sector is the result of decades of strategic planning and investment [1]. Group 2: Historical Development of China's Rare Earth Industry - The origin of China's dominance in rare earths dates back to April 1964, when the largest rare earth deposit was discovered in the Bayan Obo mine, leading to significant government attention [3]. - In the 1970s, Chinese chemists successfully broke the monopoly of France, the U.S., and Japan in the international rare earth market, transitioning China from a resource-rich country to a major producer and exporter [6]. - By the 1980s, China had established numerous rare earth refining plants, becoming the largest producer globally, despite initial technological lag [7]. Group 3: Strategic Moves and Technological Advancements - In 2010, China halted rare earth exports to Japan for two months, causing panic in Japan's automotive industry, which was heavily reliant on Chinese supplies [8]. - Currently, China is enhancing its refining technology and has increased control over rare earth mining and production enterprises [11]. - The sale of an 86% stake in the Wuxi refining plant to a Chinese state-owned enterprise highlights China's ongoing efforts to secure its position in the rare earth supply chain [11].