China expands rare earth export controls to more technologies

China announced on Thursday that it is immediately tightening export controls on technologies and items used in the production and processing of rare earth elements, expanding rules that officials said are needed to protect national security and curb transfers of materials that could be used for military ends. The Ministry of Commerce said exporters must now obtain permission for a broader range of technologies related to mining, smelting, processing and the assembly, maintenance and upgrading of production lines, and that the measures take effect immediately.

The ministry said companies and exporters should strengthen compliance awareness, understand the primary uses of their exports and assess whether items are dual use. New requirements cover equipment used to recycle rare earths and technologies for more types of magnets, and will apply to foreign entities that reexport controlled items originating in China. Chinese companies working overseas must also seek ministry approval before cooperating with foreign partners on rare earth projects, the ministry added.

A ministry spokesperson said in a separate statement that "for some time, some overseas organisations and individuals...