Highlights
- China seeks to reframe export controls as cooperative diplomacy while maintaining strategic leverage over critical mineral supply chains.
- May 2025 rare earth exports totaled 5,865 metric tons, with a year-to-date increase of 2.3%.
- Article exhibits state-directed propaganda by positioning export controls as routine and globally responsible actions.
In a June 20 article titled “Rare earth export controls to be better managed,” China Daily’s (opens in a new tab) Zhong Nan reports that China will“streamline” its rare earth export application approvals to stabilize global supply chains. Quoting Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong, the article frames the move as a gesture of cooperation, while simultaneously reinforcing China’s right to restrict exports for “national security” and “environmental” reasons.
The piece seeks to position China as a responsible global supplier, despite mounting international concern over its dominance of the rare earths sector. According to the article, May 2025 exports totaled 5,865 metric tons, representing a 2.3% year-to-date increase, which is cited as proof of “strong global demand” and “compliant flows” of critical materials.
However, the article exhibits clear signs of state-directed propaganda:
- Framing Control as Cooperation—The claim that export controls “facilitate” global trade masks the strategic leverage such controls provide China, particularly following the April 2025 restrictions on medium and heavy REEs like dysprosium and terbium.
- Legitimizing Control Through International Comparison — Repeated references to Western nations having their own mineral control lists are used to justify China’s actions as routine and rules-based, downplaying the asymmetry in China’s control over global supply.
- Weaponization Denial as Straw Man — The article dismisses accusations of “weaponization” as vague foreign “claims,” yet fails to acknowledge that China has already used critical mineral access as a trade and diplomatic lever, most notably during prior disputes with Japan, the U.S., and the EU.
- Scholarly Echo Chamber — Sources like Ding Rijia and Wang Zhimin offer commentary that reflects state-aligned messaging rather than critical analysis. The article omits any perspectives from international observers or independent analysts.
Conclusion
This China Daily article suggests Rare Earth Exchanges (REEx) attempts to rebrand strategic export controls as responsible stewardship and cooperative diplomacy. In reality, it telegraphs Beijing’s intention to retain maximal flexibility over a key geopolitical chokepoint. The signal to global markets is clear: supply will remain under tight Chinese control—compliance is a precondition, not a guarantee.
Rare Earth Exchanges Bias Meter™ for China Daily Article:
| Cateogry | Assessment |
| Source Bias | State-controlled |
| Data Transparency | Selective |
| Independent Voices | Absent |
| Framing Language | Strategically positive |
| Strategic Omission | High |
| Overall Bias Rating: | Propagandistic with moderate factual content |
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