A reporter asked: We noticed that MOFCOM issued two announcements on the morning of October 9th regarding strengthening export controls on rare earth-related items. Could you please provide more information on the relevant details?
A: Regarding Announcement No. 61 of 2025, in accordance with the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, and other relevant laws and regulations, on October 9th, with the approval of the State Council of China, MOFCOM issued Announcement No. 61 of 2025, implementing export controls on certain overseas rare earth-related items containing Chinese components.
Rare earth-related items have dual-use properties, and imposing export controls on them is an internationally accepted practice. In April of this year, the Chinese government implemented export controls on rare earth items exported by Chinese organizations and individuals. The relevant rare earth technologies were also included in the "Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export" as early as 2001. For some time, some overseas organizations and individuals have directly or after processing, transferred or provided controlled rare earth items originating in China to relevant organizations and individuals for direct or indirect use in sensitive areas such as military operations. This has caused significant damage or potential threats to China's national security and interests, adversely impacted international peace and stability, and undermined international non-proliferation efforts. To this end, the Chinese government has implemented controls on certain overseas rare earth-related items containing Chinese content in accordance with the law, with the goal of better safeguarding national security and interests and fulfilling its international obligations, including non-proliferation.
As a responsible major country, China's implementation of controls on relevant items demonstrates its consistent position of firmly upholding world peace and regional stability and actively participating in international non-proliferation efforts. China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with all parties through multilateral and bilateral export control dialogue mechanisms to promote compliant trade and ensure the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains. It should be noted that the scope of items included in this control is limited, and various licensing facilitation measures will be implemented. The Chinese government will grant licenses for items that meet relevant regulations; exports for humanitarian relief, such as emergency medical treatment, public health emergency response, and natural disaster relief, will be exempted from licensing requirements. Furthermore, this policy incorporates a reasonable transition period, taking into account the practical needs of stakeholders to fulfill existing commercial contracts and meet compliance requirements.
Regarding Announcement No. 62 of 2025, in accordance with the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, and other relevant laws and regulations, on October 9th, with the approval of the State Council of China, MOFCOM issued Announcement No. 62 of 2025, implementing export controls on rare earth-related technologies.
Rare earth-related items have dual-use properties, and imposing export controls on them is an internationally accepted practice. In April of this year, the Chinese government implemented export controls on certain rare earth items. The relevant rare earth technologies were included in the "Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted for Export" as early as 2001. Relevant exports must comply with legal procedures.
Since the beginning of this year, the Office of the National Export Control Coordination Mechanism has organized special operations to combat the smuggling and export of strategic minerals, achieving positive results. At the same time, relevant departments have also discovered that some overseas organizations and individuals have illegally obtained rare earth technology from China, produced rare earth-related items, and provided them to users in sensitive military and other fields, or used them for sensitive military and other purposes, causing significant damage or potential threats to China's national security and interests, and adversely affecting international peace and stability. To mitigate related risks, the Chinese government, after careful evaluation, has decided to implement export controls on rare earth-related technologies. At the same time, it has issued clear regulations regarding related activities by Chinese organizations and individuals. This will better safeguard national security and interests, better fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, and ensure the security and stability of the global rare earth industry chain and supply chain.
Original Source: Economic and Commercial Section, Consulate General of China in Mumbai
Translation Tool: Google Translate
