A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce answered questions from reporters regarding the export control measures on medium and heavy rare earths
商务部新闻发言人就中重稀土出口管制措施答记者问
Q: Recently, many countries have expressed concern over China’s export control measures on rare earths. What measures will China take to address the concerns of all parties?
A: China’s export control measures on rare earths are in line with the WTO rules and are necessary for the sustainable development of the rare earth industry. China will continue to maintain communication and cooperation with all parties to ensure the stable supply of rare earths.
Answer: Rare earth-related items have dual-use attributes for both military and civilian purposes. Implementing export control over them is in line with international common practices. China lawfully implements export control over rare earth-related items with the aim of better safeguarding national security and interests, fulfilling international obligations such as non-proliferation, and demonstrating its consistent stance of upholding world peace and regional stability.
We have also noted that with the development of industries such as robots and new energy vehicles, the demand for medium and heavy rare earths in the civilian sector in various countries is continuously increasing. As a responsible major country, China fully considers the reasonable demands and concerns of other countries in the civilian sector, and reviews applications for export licenses of rare earth-related items in accordance with laws and regulations. A certain number of compliant applications have been approved in accordance with the law, and the approval of compliant applications will be continuously strengthened. China is willing to further enhance communication and dialogue on export control with relevant countries to facilitate compliant trade.
答：稀土相关物项具有军民两用属性，对其实施出口管制符合国际通行做法。中国依法对稀土相关物项实施出口管制，目的是更好维护国家安全和利益，履行防扩散等国际义务，体现了坚持维护世界和平与地区稳定的一贯立场。
我们也注意到，随着机器人、新能源汽车等行业发展，各国对中重稀土在民用领域的需求量正持续增长。中国作为负责任的大国，充分考虑各国在民用领域的合理需求与关切，依法依规对稀土相关物项出口许可申请进行审查，已依法批准一定数量的合规申请，并将持续加强合规申请的审批工作。中方愿就此进一步加强与相关国家的出口管制沟通对话，促进便利合规贸易。