China on Friday announced tightened rules over the mining and processing of rare earths, extending enhanced regulations to imported minerals and requiring enterprises to report the flow of the strategic materials monthly.
The rules were released as guidelines on the implementation of the country's rare earth management regulations, which took effect in October.
The rules, effective immediately, stipulate how government agencies should manage quotas for designated companies and make the flow of rare earth products traceable, according to three departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
As the MIIT noted, rare earths are important strategic mineral resources, and changes in the industry mean that earlier rules were no longer suitable for current needs.
Despite that, some still try and misinterpret the move as the latest sign of China's "weaponization" of the strategic items.
