China said yesterday its regulation of the rare earths industry was in line with international rules as it faces international pressure over its control of the crucial elements.
The US, EU, Japan and Canada lodged a complaint with the WTO in March, claiming Beijing was unfairly choking off exports of the commodities to benefit domestic industries.
China, a producer of more than 90 percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in high-tech equipment from iPods to missiles, has set output caps and export quotas on the coveted resources.
Photo: Bloomberg
Gao Yunhu (高雲虎), vice director of the rare earths office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said its management of the industry was “in full compliance with WTO rules.”
“China is willing to cooperate with relevant parties to resolve the issue at an early date,” Gao told a news conference at the release of a policy “white paper” on rare earth use, protection and trade.
However, he added: “China will actively use WTO rules to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the country.”
The WTO said the case is now in the consultation phase, the first stage of dispute settlement in which the parties involved try to settle the case among themselves before resorting to litigation.
China has previously defended its practices, saying they aim to protect the resources and the environment as part of an effort to promote sustainable development.
The US and others involved in the WTO case say China’s export quotas unfairly restrict overseas sales.
China has so far granted companies the right to export 21,226 tonnes of rare earths this year, although they are not always fully used. The government could also extend the limits.
Last year, the government granted rare earth export quotas of 30,200 tonnes, but only 18,600 tonnes were exported, Chinese Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Su Bo (蘇波) told the news conference.
Meanwhile, Honda Motor Co said yesterday it will start recycling rare earths and other key materials in hybrid auto batteries this year — a key innovation in the Japanese automaker’s effort to be green.
Japan is dependent on imports for rare earth elements, which are essential for making high-tech products, but a steady supply has been periodically threatened over political disputes with China.
Honda officials said the company was targeting September or October to begin the recycling of rare earths. They said it would be a first for the auto industry.
At headquarters in Tokyo, Honda President Takanobu Ito outlined Honda’s efforts to reduce pollution and global warming, including experimental projects to combine solar with its fuel-cell cars — what he called the Honda “dream” to derive energy solely from nature and emit just water.
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