As the struggle to always become faster semiconductors intensifies, China once again has to approve export controls on mineral rare land, as well as the relevant mining and refinement technology.
The country’s Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday that it has added five elements of rare land to the export control list, receiving the whole of 12 to “protect national security”. The ministry has introduced an export license that foreign producers should apply if they intend to export products that even use light amounts of Chinese rare land or technology from the country to see them.
The ministry said defense organizations would not be granted export licenses, while those who intend to use minerals rarely land for semiconductor production will receive licenses based on individual review. Exports intended for humanitarian aid, such as emergencies for public health and disaster relief, will be exempt from license requirements.
As the largest producer of the world’s rare land minerals, China has extensively utilized its position to negotiate with other countries, especially the US, which has slowly threatened to increase the scope of chipmaking equipment and chips that are not allowed to export to China. Minerals rarely are critical in a wide range of industries, from solar panels and batteries for electric vehicles to chips and aerospace.
China’s new restrictions are a mirror in the US Rule of Direct Foreign Productwhich was expanded by Biden’s administration last year, as the US tried to limit chipmaking equipment exports from foreign countries to China. Thursday’s announcement comes after Beijing in April, he added quite a rare land to the export control list in retaliation for Trump invoices, causing a large global shortage.
