China rejects reports of Pakistan supplying rare earth samples to US

KARACHI: China has rejected media reports suggesting Pakistan had given rare earth samples to the US, calling them “misinformed, invented or designed to drive a wedge” between the two countries.

The remarks came after a reporter from the Global Times asked Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a regular press briefing on Monday to comment on claims that Pakistan used Chinese technology to export rare earth materials to the US, prompting Beijing to tighten export controls on related technologies.

Reports in early October claimed that Pakistan had sent its first shipment of enriched rare earth elements and critical minerals to US Strategic Metals, a Missouri-based firm.

Lin said China and Pakistan remain “all-weather strategic cooperative partners” who maintain “high-level strategic mutual trust and close communication on major issues of common interest.”

He added that both sides have discussed Pakistan’s mining cooperation with the U.S., and that Islamabad had assured Beijing its interactions with Washington “will never harm China’s interests or its cooperation with China”.

Per Lin, the samples shown by Pakistani leaders to US officials were gem ores purchased by staff in Pakistan, not rare earth materials linked to Chinese technology.

Lin added that China’s recently announced export controls on certain rare earth-related technologies “have nothing to do with Pakistan,” describing the move as a “legitimate action” to strengthen export regulations, maintain regional stability, and meet non-proliferation obligations.

Last week, China expanded its export controls on rare earths and related technologies, tightening its grip on global supply chains, Reuters reported.

The new rules, which take effect on November 8 -- two days before the current US-China trade truce expires -- restrict exports of rare-earth extraction and separation technologies, synthetic diamond powders, single crystals, diamond wire saws and related materials.