Micah McCartney is a Newsweek reporter in Taipei, Taiwan. It covers U. S. -China relations, East and Southeast Asian security issues, and China-Taiwan trait-to-line ties. You can tap on Micah by emailing M. McCartney@newsweek . com.
Based on the facts, it was observed and verified first through the journalist, or informed and verified of competent sources.
The discovery of a massive rare land deposit in southwest China will have the country’s assets on this strategically important resource and fuel its high-tech ambitions.
Newsweek has reached out to the China Geological Society and U.S. Geological Survey with emailed requests for comment.
Uncommon earth elements (REEs) are for a variety of Top-Tech applications, electric cars, and smartphones with radar systems and guided missiles. China controls about 70% of global production from rare lands and more than 90% of refining capacity.
The U. S. imports nearly all of its rare earth elements, with China supplying 72% between 2019 and 2022, according to the U. S. Geological Survey. U. S. War: as a critical risk to national security.
The top-volume reserve of rare earth elements found in the Honghe region of Yunnan province involves 470,000 tons of rare earth elements, the China Geological Survey state media said as last week.
The site is expected to become the largest repository of medium- to heavy-duty REES in China, which are rare. These elements are essential for EV, jet and missile components due to their ability to maintain magnetic houses at maximum temperatures.
Li Wei, a scientist of Studies of the Geological Service of China, told the Daily Galaxy: “Adjust everything. With more than 470,000 tons of rare lands, China is now in an even greater position to stock up worldwide and meet the growing demand “
Julie Klinger, associate professor of Geography and Sciences of the Area of the University of Delaware, told Newsweek: “The key consultation is whether the progression of this deposit is aligned with the largest methods of China by emphasizing the remedy to the remedy to the Price of the price of the elements of the infrequent land imported from another place, instead of the new extraction number one in socioecologically vital regions within its borders.
“Another consultation that I have is whether these rare land deposits and others explored are really intended for renewable technologies, security and clinical technologies, or for non -critical toys, fun. “
Professor Zhang Min, international trade expert at Peking University, told the Galaxy: “This is more than just a mine. It’s a strategic weapon. Whoever controls rare-earth elements controls global technology.”
Wang Xueqiu, chief scientist at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, told state media outlet CCTV: “Each new energy vehicle requires 0.8 kilograms (1.8 pounds) of key rare-earth elements, leading to exceptionally high demand, which continues to grow each year.”
The restricted committee of the Chamber of the Chinese Communist Party presented a correct organization guilty of writing the law to the American agency of China for critical minerals.
Update 1/30/25, 2:20 p. m. Y: This article was updated with feedback from Julie Klinger.
Micah McCartney is a Newsweek reporter in Taipei, Taiwan. It covers U. S. -Chinese relations, East Asian and Southeast Asian security upheavals, and the links between China-Taiwan features. You can tap on Micah by sending an email to the Sr. McCartney@newsweek. com.
Micah McCartney is a Newsweek reporter in Taipei, Taiwan. It covers U. S. -Chinese relations, East Asian and Southeast Asian security upheavals, and the links between China-Taiwan features. You can tap on Micah by sending an email to the Sr. McCartney@newsweek. com.