Beijing puts down marker on rare earths

Ministry warns against misuse of vital resource to impede China's development

China will not allow any countries to use products made from its rare-earth exports to impede China's development, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

Gao Feng, the ministry's spokesman, said China has been the world's largest supplier of rare-earth materials and has always been willing to meet the demand of its trade partners for this material to promote the rare-earth industry. He made the comment at a news conference in Beijing when asked if China will stop exporting rare-earth materials to the United States.