China Expands Controls over Export of Rare Earths & Rare Earths Technology

Also in this edition, Wang Yi's Italy Visit, Taiwan Affairs Office Lashes out at Lai - China's Message to 'Group of Friends of Neutrality'

Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition from Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Hi folks, hope everyone’s had a fun Golden Week break. Given that today is the first full working day in China, the paper has few noteworthy reports. Let me just cover all that’s relevant.

First, on the front page, the theme of cultural confidence continues to be highlighted. One of the big front page articles yesterday also talked about Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Today’s piece marks the centennial of the Palace Museum.

But the key report on the front page to note is about Zhao Leji’s remarks during a video address delivered to the second meeting of parliamentary leaders of the Group of Friends of Neutrality member states. The Group of Friends of Neutrality was established in August 2020 on the initiative of Turkmenistan. China is one of the 18 founding nations.

“Zhao Leji said that over the past five years since its establishment, the Group of Friends of Neutrality, with its core focus on advocating a policy of neutrality, has provided a valuable platform for like-minded countries to enhance mutual understanding and trust, deepen exchanges and cooperation, and practice multilateralism. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. At present, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, and the United Nations and multilateralism are facing headwinds. In early September, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative, emphasising the upholding of sovereign equality, adherence to international rule of law, the practice of multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and an action-oriented approach, aiming to promote a more just and equitable global governance system. This initiative, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative, is another major global initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and has been widely welcomed.” 赵乐际表示，“中立之友小组”成立5年多来，以倡导中立政策为核心，为志同道合的国家搭建了一个增进理解互信、深化交流合作、践行多边主义的有益平台。今年是世界反法西斯战争胜利和联合国成立80周年。当前，世界进入新的动荡变革期，联合国和多边主义遭遇逆风。9月初，习近平主席郑重提出全球治理倡议，强调奉行主权平等、遵守国际法治、践行多边主义、倡导以人为本、注重行动导向，旨在推动构建更加公正合理的全球治理体系。这是继全球发展倡议、全球安全倡议、全球文明倡议之后，习近平主席提出的又一重大全球性倡议，受到各方普遍欢迎.

He added: “Legislative bodies have the responsibility to contribute actively to promoting just and equitable global governance and building a community with a shared future for mankind. China is willing to work with the member states of the Group of Friends of Neutrality to jointly implement the four major global initiatives, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, revitalise multilateralism, reform and improve global governance, and jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law.” 赵乐际指出，本次会议以“议会间对话——保障世界和平与信任的重要方式”为主题，恰逢其时，意义深远。立法机构有责任为推动公正合理的全球治理、构建人类命运共同体作出积极贡献。中方愿同“中立之友小组”成员国一道，共同践行四大全球倡议，加强团结合作，重振多边主义，改革完善全球治理，携手维护以联合国为核心的国际体系和以国际法为基础的国际秩序.

He also said that “China and Turkmenistan are good friends and partners who trust each other. Not long ago, President Berdimuhamedov, at the invitation of the Chinese side, came to China to attend the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and the event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The two heads of state conducted friendly exchanges and mapped out a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. The Chinese side is willing to work together with the Turkmen side to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen all-round mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the building of a China–Turkmenistan community with a shared future.” 赵乐际表示，中国和土库曼斯坦是相互信赖的好朋友、好伙伴。前不久，别尔德穆哈梅多夫总统应邀来华出席2025年上海合作组织峰会和纪念中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年活动。两国元首进行了友好交流，为双边关系发展规划了新的蓝图。中方愿同土方一道，落实好两国元首重要共识，深化全方位互利合作，推动构建中土命运共同体.

Second, on Page 2, there’s a report informing that during the weeklong holiday from October 1 to 8, the total cross-regional passenger flow across the country is estimated at 2.432 billion trips, with a daily average of 304 million trips, up 6.2% year on year. As per the report, key retail and catering enterprises reported a year-on-year sales increase of 2.7 percent during the holiday, per data from the Ministry of Commerce.

Third, on Page 3, there’s a report on Wang Yi’s visit to Italy. Wang met with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani. The report says:

Wang said that “this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. Wang said that for more than half a century, the two countries have carried out high-level and pragmatic cooperation, promoted high-quality cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and built a fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Wang Yi said that the China-Italy Joint Committee, as the first intergovernmental cooperation mechanism established by China with a European country, has been in operation for 21 years, playing an important role in the development of bilateral relations and gaining the trust and broad support of all sectors in both countries. The current international situation is undergoing rapid and profound changes, and China-Italy cooperation faces new situations, new opportunities, and new challenges. The Chinese side is willing to work together with the Italian side to uphold the original aspiration with which the China–Italy Government Committee was established, adhere to integrity and innovation, promote the upgrading of this cooperation mechanism to a more systematic, more targeted, and more effective ‘version 2.0,’ and better align it with the development strategy of China–Italy relations. 王毅表示，中意委作为中国同欧洲国家建立的首个政府间合作机制，至今已走过21个年头，为双边关系发展发挥重要作用，得到两国各界信任和广泛支持。当前国际形势快速深刻变化，中意合作面临新形势、新机遇、新挑战。中方愿同意方一道秉持中意委成立初心，守正创新，推动合作机制向更加系统化、更有针对性、更富成效的“2.0版本”升级，更好配合中意关系发展战略。

Wang then made three suggestions:

• First, strengthen the strategic nature of the mechanism and make it more ‘new’. We must always adhere to the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries on bilateral relations and the strategic guidance they have provided, innovate working methods, and accelerate the implementation of the Three-Year Action Plan.

• Second, strengthen platform development and make the mechanism more ‘dynamic’. We must enhance agenda design, actively promote exchanges and visits, facilitate the connection between businesses and institutions of the two countries, tap into potential, and inject new impetus into bilateral cooperation.

• Third, promote subnational cooperation and make the mechanism more ‘practical’. We must leverage the leading role of subnational governments in bilateral trade cooperation and cultural exchanges, and continuously stimulate the connection between local businesses and personnel exchanges.

一是强化战略属性，让机制更“新”。始终锚定两国领导人对双边关系达成的重要共识和作出的战略引领，创新工作方式，加紧推动三年行动计划落地。二是加强平台建设，让机制更“活”。加强议程议题设计，积极推动交流互访，协助两国企业、机构对接，深挖潜力，为双方合作赋予新动能。三是促进地方合作，让机制更“实”。发挥地方在两国贸易合作和文化交流中的主力军作用，持续激活地方企业对接和人员往来活力.

The report is limited, however. Xinhua’s report has more on Wang’s remarks:

“China is willing to work with Italy to strengthen confidence, eliminate interference, actively implement the action plan on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership, promote more achievements in bilateral cooperation and boost the economic development of the two countries, Wang added. Wang noted that as comprehensive strategic partners, China and Italy should maintain close exchanges, trust and support each other, and address each other’s major concerns. China hopes and believes that Italy will continue to faithfully adhere to the one-China principle and consolidate the political foundation for the sound and steady growth of bilateral relations. He called on the two countries to continue to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries through concrete actions, and transform the good political will into the driving force for the development of China-Italy relations. Wang said that China is willing to actively explore cooperation potential with Italy in green, digital, aerospace, artificial intelligence and other fields, and provide a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable business environment to encourage enterprises of the two countries to increase two-way investments. Wang stressed that in a world undergoing both changes and turmoil, China and Italy, as outstanding representatives of the ancient civilizations of the East and the West, should and are well placed to draw wisdom and inspiration from their rich histories, provide rational and practical solutions to global pressing challenges, join hands as a force for world peace and stability, and make unremitting efforts to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.”

On Page 8, there’s a report on comments by Chen Binhua from the Taiwan Affairs Office, “regarding Lai Ching-te’s renewed promotion of the ‘new two-state theory’.” Chen was asked that Lai has “again promoted the ‘new two-state theory’ of ‘mutual non-subordination across the Taiwan Strait’, falsely claiming that mainland military exercises undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and clamouring for an increase in Taiwan’s defense budget and for Taiwan to work with the ‘democratic camp’ to exert ‘deterrent force’ against mainland China. What’s your comment?”

“Chen Binhua pointed out that Lai Ching-te is again inverting right and wrong, spouting nonsense, hyping up ‘mainland threat’, peddling ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist fallacies, clamouring for ‘seeking independence by force’ and ‘seeking independence by relying on external actors’, deceiving Taiwan’s people and international public opinion, fully exposing his ‘Taiwan independence’ nature as the ‘destroyer of cross-strait peace’ and ‘creator of Taiwan Strait crisis’.” 陈斌华指出，赖清德又在颠倒黑白、大放厥词，又在渲染“大陆威胁”，又在兜售“台独”分裂谬论，又在鼓噪“以武谋独”“倚外谋独”，又在蒙骗台湾民众和国际舆论，充分暴露其“两岸和平破坏者”“台海危机制造者”的“台独”本性.

He stated that Since taking office more than a year ago, he has ignored mainstream public opinion on the island, stubbornly clung to separatist positions, and repeatedly spread fallacies about ‘Taiwan independence’, continuously incited ‘opposing China and resisting China’, continuously escalated cross-strait confrontation and antagonism and intensified tensions across the Taiwan strait, engaged in military adventurism and ‘preparing for war to seek independence’, pushing Taiwan toward grave danger. At the same time, he has unscrupulously flattered foreign powers and engaged in selling out Taiwan without a bottom line, wantonly squandered public resources, been servile in pledging allegiance to external forces, fawning and groveling to them. allowing external forces to take whatever they want and demand whatever they please. His actions have severely harmed the rights and welfare of the Taiwan people and businesses, and have jeopardised the island’s economic lifeline and future development.他表示，赖清德上台一年多来，违背岛内主流民意，顽固坚持“台独”立场，大肆宣扬分裂谬论，不断煽动“反中抗中”，持续升高两岸对立对抗、加剧台海紧张局势，穷兵黩武、“备战谋独”，把台湾推向兵凶战危的险境。与此同时，无原则媚外、无底线卖台，大肆挥霍民脂民膏，对外部势力卖身投靠、输诚跪舔，任由外部势力予取予求，严重损害台湾企业、民众的切身利益，不惜葬送台湾经济命脉和发展前景。

Taiwan is part of China, and both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China. This is an indisputable historical and legal fact, and it cannot be changed. We cherish peace, but we will never tolerate ‘Taiwan independence’ secessionism, and we will never sit idly by and watch as ‘Taiwan independence’ forces sell out and destroy Taiwan. We have the firm will, strong resolve and powerful capability to crush all separatist acts and foreign interference, safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect the safety and welfare of our Taiwan compatriots. 陈斌华指出，台湾是中国领土的一部分，大陆和台湾同属一个中国，这是不容置疑的历史和法理事实，也是不容改变的两岸现状。我们珍爱和平，但决不容忍“台独”分裂，决不坐视“台独”势力卖台毁台。我们有坚定的意志、坚强的决心、强大的能力，粉碎一切“台独”分裂行径和外来干涉，维护国家主权和领土完整，维护台湾民众的安全和福祉.

He warned Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities that the trend toward reunification is unstoppable. Seeking independence through reliance on foreign powers is bound to fail, and seeking independence by force will only hasten destruction. Those who betray the Chinese nation will be condemned by history, and any attempt to split the country will be resolutely crushed. Reunification will surely prevail, and ‘Taiwan independence’ will perish. Lai and the ‘Taiwan independence’ forces are no more than ants shaking a tree, and they will ultimately be swept into the dustbin of history.” 他表示，正告赖清德及民进党当局，统一大势不可阻挡，“倚外谋独”注定失败，“以武谋独”加速灭亡。凡是倚仗外部势力的行径都将自取其辱，凡是背叛民族的罪人都将遭到正义审判，凡是分裂祖国的图谋都将遭到坚决反制。统一必胜，“台独”必亡。赖清德、“台独”势力不过是撼树蚍蜉，终将被扫入历史的垃圾堆.

Finally, two important documents were issued today, expanding and extending Chinese rare earth controls beyond the country’s borders. First, Document no 61 is the “Decision to Implement Export Controls on Relevant Rare Earth Items Abroad. It cites national security as the reason to demand that:

Overseas organisations and individuals must obtain a dual-use items export license issued by China’s Ministry of Commerce before exporting the following items to countries and regions other than China: Items listed in Part II of Annex 1 to this Announcement that are manufactured overseas and contain, integrate or are mixed with items of Chinese origin listed in Part I of Annex 1 to this Announcement, and where the items listed in Part I of Annex 1 account for 0.1% or more of the value of the items listed in Part II of Annex 1 that are manufactured overseas; Items listed in Annex 1 to this Announcement that are produced overseas using technologies related to rare earth mining, smelting and separation, metal smelting, magnetic material manufacturing, or secondary resource recycling of rare earths of Chinese origin; Items listed in Annex 1 to this Announcement that are of Chinese origin.” 一、境外组织和个人（以下称“境外特定出口经营者”）在向中国以外的其他国家和地区出口以下物项前，必须获得中国商务部颁发的两用物项出口许可证件: （一）含有、集成或者混有原产于中国的本公告附件1第一部分所列物项在境外制造的本公告附件1第二部分所列物项，且附件1第一部分所列物项占境外制造的附件1第二部分所列物项的价值比例达到0.1%及以上的； （二）使用原产于中国的稀土开采、冶炼分离、金属冶炼、磁材制造、稀土二次资源回收利用相关技术在境外生产的本公告附件1所列物项； （三）原产于中国的本公告附件1所列物项.

In principle, export applications for the following will not be approved: exports to foreign military users, and exports to importers and end-users listed on the export control list and the watch list (including their subsidiaries, branch offices, and other affiliated entities with 50% or more ownership). In principle, export applications for products that are or may be used for the following end uses will not be approved: (1) Design, development, production, or use of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery vehicles; (2) Terrorist purposes; (3) Military use or enhancement of military potential. Export applications for the research and development, production, and manufacture of 14nm and below logic chips or 256-layer and above memory chips, as well as production equipment, testing equipment, and materials for the manufacture of these process semiconductors, or the research and development of artificial intelligence with potential military applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 二、对向境外军事用户的出口申请，以及向出口管制管控名单和关注名单所列的进口商和最终用户（包括其控股50%及以上的子公司、分公司等分支机构）的出口申请，原则上不予许可。 三、用于或者可能用于以下最终用途的出口申请，原则上不予许可： （一）设计、开发、生产、使用大规模杀伤性武器及其运载工具； （二）恐怖主义目的； （三）军事用途或者提升军事潜力。 四、最终用途为研发、生产14纳米及以下逻辑芯片或者256层及以上存储芯片，以及制造上述制程半导体的生产设备、测试设备和材料，或者研发具有潜在军事用途的人工智能的出口申请，逐案审批。

Document no 62, i.e., the Decision to Implement Export Controls on Rare Earth-Related Technologies, says that China will impose export controls on rare earth-related technologies, including rare earth mining, smelting and separation, magnetic material manufacturing, and rare earth secondary resource recycling.

Global Times’ report has the details. It says:

“Technologies and relevant data related to rare earth mining, smelting and separation, metal smelting, magnetic material manufacturing, and rare earth secondary resource recycling, as well as the assembly, debugging, maintenance, repair, and upgrade of related production lines are prohibited from export without permission, the statement said. For non-controlled goods, technologies, or services, if the exporters know that they will be used for or substantially contribute to overseas activities related to rare earth mining, smelting and separation, metal smelting, magnetic material manufacturing, and rare earth secondary resource recycling, then they must apply for a dual-use item export license from the MOFCOM prior to exportation, in accordance with laws and regulations. Unauthorized provision of such items is prohibited, according to the statement.”

The document adds:

“The meanings and scope of ‘rare earths’, ‘smelting and separation’, ‘metal smelting’, and ‘secondary rare earth resources’ as referred to in this Announcement shall be implemented in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Rare Earth Management. The ‘magnetic material manufacturing’ technology as referred to in this Announcement refers to samarium–cobalt, neodymium–iron–boron, and cerium magnet manufacturing technologies. The technologies and their carriers referred to in this Announcement include data and other materials related to the technology, such as design drawings, process specifications, process parameters, machining programs, simulation data, and so on.” 本公告所称“稀土”“冶炼分离”“金属冶炼”“稀土二次资源”的含义和范围，按照《中华人民共和国稀土管理条例》有关规定执行。本公告所称“磁材制造”技术，是指钐钴、钕铁硼、铈磁体制造技术。本公告所称技术及其载体，包括技术相关资料等数据，例如设计图纸、工艺规范、工艺参数、加工程序、仿真数据等.

Also: “Chinese citizens, legal persons, and unincorporated organizations shall not, without permission, provide any substantive assistance or support for overseas activities related to rare earth mining, smelting and separation, metal smelting, magnetic material manufacturing, or secondary rare earth resource recycling…” 中国公民、法人、非法人组织未经许可不得为境外稀土开采、冶炼分离、金属冶炼、磁材制造、稀土二次资源回收利用活动提供任何实质性帮助和支持，违反本公告要求的，按照《中华人民共和国出口管制法》《中华人民共和国两用物项出口管制条例》有关规定进行处罚.