Highlights

• China established the Rare Earth Atomic-Level Manufacturing Technology Professional Committee on January 6, 2026.
• The establishment signals state backing for ultra-precision manufacturing at the atomic scale.
• The committee unites over 30 academicians and industry leaders.
• It focuses on developing atomic-level rare earth manufacturing for high-end applications in magnets, optics, semiconductors, and defense components.
• The initiative is led by Zhang Zhenyu.
• The aim is to translate fundamental research into industrial scaling.
• China is positioning itself to dominate precision manufacturing beyond just rare earth supply.

China has taken a notable step toward ultra-precision rare earth manufacturing with the inaugural meeting of the Rare Earth Atomic-Level Manufacturing Technology Professional Committee, held January 6, 2026, at Soochow University (opens in a new tab). The committee operates under the Chinese Society of Rare Earths, signaling official backing for a field that sits at the intersection of materials science, advanced manufacturing, and strategic industrial policy.

The meeting brought together more than 30 academicians, researchers, and industry leaders from institutions including Tsinghua University, the China Academy of Machinery Science and Technology, and the China Surface Engineering Association. The focus: defining a development roadmap for atomic-level rare earth manufacturing, particularly in high-end applications where surface precision, materials control, and performance margins are measured at the atomic scale.

Luo Jianbin, (opens in a new tab) an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized talent cultivation and cross-institution collaboration, arguing that atomic-level manufacturing will require a new generation of engineers fluent in both frontier science and industrial deployment. His keynote, “New Technologies Affecting the Development of Manufacturing,” framed atomic-scale control as a foundational capability for next-generation manufacturing competitiveness.

From an institutional perspective, Yang Zhanfeng, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Rare Earths, stressed the need for top-level design, standardized governance, and alignment with international frontiers and national strategic needs. The committee, he said, should function as an innovation platform rather than a purely academic forum.

The most concrete technical signal came from Zhang Zhenyu, committee chair, who presented breakthroughs in rare earth atomic-level polishing of complex components, highlighting Soochow University’s ability to translate discoveries from “0 to 1” (fundamental research) and from “1 to N” (industrial scaling).

Why this matters for the West

Atomic-level rare earth manufacturing underpins advanced magnets, optics, coatings, semiconductors, and defense-relevant components. China’s move to formalize this field suggests an effort to lock in advantages not just in supply, but in manufacturing precision itself—a domain where barriers to entry are exceptionally high.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information released by the Chinese Society of Rare Earths, an organization operating within China’s state-affiliated research ecosystem. All information should be independently verified before forming business, investment, or policy conclusions.