ISLAMABAD: China this week denied that its new export control moves on rare earth technologies are a retaliation for alleged Pakistani-US cooperation in the sector, calling recent media claims “baseless.”

Over the past several weeks, Pakistan has reportedly dispatched its first batch of rare earth elements and critical minerals to the United States under a newly signed $500 million cooperation framework, sparking speculation that Beijing might respond. 

The rare earth sector has assumed strategic importance globally, with countries seeking to reduce dependence on China, which refines the majority of the world’s rare earth supplies and has recently tightened export rules affecting minerals and technologies used in semiconductors and defense. 

At a regular press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized China’s “all-weather strategic cooperative” relationship with Pakistan, saying bilateral trust remains high and denying any impact on that bond.

“China’s recently released export control measures on related rare earth items have nothing to do with Pakistan,” Lin said.
“The samples that the Pakistani leaders showed and gave to the US leader are gem ores purchased by staff in Pakistan.”

China’s new rules expand licensing and export restrictions on certain rare earths, technologies and processing equipment, measures Beijing says are necessary to safeguard national security and fulfill international non-proliferation obligations. 

Lin termed the news reports that Pakistan used Chinese mining technology to send rare earth materials to the United States as “misinformed or invented, or even designed to drive a wedge between China and Pakistan.”

He added that Islamabad had assured Beijing that its US engagements would not undermine Chinese interests.

“Pakistan stressed that its interactions with the US will never harm China’s interests or its cooperation with China,” Lin said.