China steps up control of rare-earth exports citing ‘national security’ concerns

Workers use diggers to excavate a rare-earth mine in Ganxian county in China’s Jiangxi province. Photograph: AP

China has increased restrictions on exports of rare earths and related technologies as Beijing tightened its grip on the products that are critical for use in smartphones and fighter jets.

China’s commerce ministry announced the restrictions on Thursday, arguing damage had been caused to its “national security” from exports of the technologies – both directly or indirectly – to foreign military.