On 20 June, China’s Information Office of the State Council announced the publication of its white paper, entitled ‘Situation and policies of China's rare earth industry.’
The 9,000-word document contained detailed information on the current situation of China’s rare earths industry, together with development targets, plans for the resource conservation, environmental protection, technological advancement and international trade policies.
At the press conference which followed the announcement, officials from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology were in attendance to answer questions from reporters.
The officials included Su Bo, China’s vice minister; Jia Yinsong, inspector of the source material department and director of the rare earth office; and Gao Yunhu, vice director of the source material department and rare earth office.
Questions centered on environmental matters, the current price of rare earths on the world market, industry management, and the...