Is China's Extended Rare Earth Complex in Myanmar Violating Human Rights, Destroying Ecologies?

Highlights

• Burmese exiles founded Irrawaddy Publishing Group in 1990 to report on events in Myanmar from safety.
• China's rare earth resource extraction in Myanmar poses significant environmental, human rights, and geopolitical risks.
• Current international sanctions have inadvertently strengthened China's monopoly on rare earth supply chains.

A group of Burmese exiles living in Thailand launched the Irrawaddy Publishing Group (opens in a new tab) (IPG) in 1990 to report on the ongoing events in their former nation from a safe place.  Many of these exiles, former activists, fled violent crackdowns on anti-military protests in 1988 and were often associated with pro-democracy movements in that part of the world. In a recent piece in The Irrawaddy (opens in a new tab) the author suggests that China’s dominance in the rare earth supply chain, amplified by its exploitation of Myanmar’s resources under the protection of Myanmar's military junta, poses significant environmental, human rights, and geopolitical challenges.

The piece, a guest column by Ankit K (opens in a new tab) highlights the devastating toll on local ecosystems and communities, including displacement, health crises, and labor abuses, alongside China’s strategic use of rare earths to control global supply chains and wield influence over technological advancement. The article’s author argues that the international community’s current approach, including sanctions on Myanmar, has failed and inadvertently strengthened China’s monopoly.

The point of view reflects a critical stance toward both China’s aggressive rare earth strategy and the international community’s inability to address these issues effectively. The article is strongly biased against China and Myanmar’s military junta, portraying them as exploitative actors undermining global stability and sustainability. It also critiques the West for failing to develop effective alternatives or intervening decisively.

Unanswered questions include: What specific steps can the international community take to break China’s monopoly? Are there viable alternatives to sourcing and processing rare earths outside of China and Myanmar? How can environmental and human rights concerns be addressed while balancing the urgent demand for rare earths in green and advanced technologies? Lastly, what role should regional players like India and ASEAN nations play in mitigating these challenges?  What moves could the United States contemplate?