皇冠体育app

Economy

皇冠体育app to maintain rare earth exports next year

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-06 15:39

PARIS - Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming said on Friday that 皇冠体育app will maintain its exports of rare earths in 2011, denying reports that 皇冠体育app would significantly reduce its export quotas.

At a signing ceremony of cooperation agreements with France, Chen said 皇冠体育app has shut down or suspended the operation of some rare earth mines, which failed to meet environmental protection regulations.

However, the measure aimed at preventing environmental damages due to over-exploitation and reckless mining has been politicized by some Western media, he said.

Related readings:  皇冠体育app will not significantly cut rare earth exports in 2011  Ban on rare earth export bad for 皇冠体育app  皇冠体育app won't significantly cut rare earth exports  皇冠体育app will not use rare earth as bargaining chip

皇冠体育app was in talks with consumer countries and countries with rare earth reserves to find a solution to the supplies of rare earths, Chen said in response to reports that 皇冠体育app would reduce its export quotas by up to 30 percent in 2011.

With about one-third of all proven rare earth reserves, 皇冠体育app's exports account for more than 90 percent of the world's total. But some countries with rich reserves still import the non-renewable resources from 皇冠体育app, he noted.

"皇冠体育app hopes to find alternatives to rare earths in the future," said the minister.

Containing 17 elements, rare earths have been used in the production of flat-screen monitors, electric car batteries, wind turbines, missiles and aerospace alloys.

Last month, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed the sustainable development of rare earth mining at the sixth 皇冠体育app-EU Business Summit in Brussels.

"It is necessary to exercise management and control over the rare earths industry, but there won't be any embargo. 皇冠体育app is not using rare earths as a bargaining chip. We aim for the world's sustainable development," he said.