China to control the export of battery raw material antimony… “Not targeting specific countries”

China, the world’s largest antimony holder and producer, ‘China is introducing export controls on antimony, a semi-metal used in batteries and other applications.’,
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, ‘China’s Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs announced on the 15th that they will control the export of antimony and rare earth materials in order to protect national security and interests, comply with international obligations such as preventing nuclear proliferation, in accordance with export control laws, foreign trade laws, and customs laws. The related measures will take effect from the next month’s 15th.’,
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[Image Source=Reuters via Yonhap News],
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, ‘A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated during a regular briefing on this day that “export controls are an international practice” and clarified that it does not target specific countries or regions. They further explained, “China opposes activities that harm China’s national sovereignty, security, and development interests in using controlled items by all countries or regions that use China’s controlled items.”‘,
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, ‘Although the Ministry of Commerce did not announce specific details regarding the items subject to control, major foreign media outlets have predicted that weapons-related purposes could be included given the mention of nuclear proliferation prevention. Prior to this, China had restricted the export of gallium and germanium, metals used in producing semiconductors and electronic products, since August last year, and added graphite used in secondary battery core materials to the list of export control items in December of the same year.’,
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, ‘Antimony is primarily used as a flame retardant to prevent fires and is widely used in batteries, night vision goggles, nuclear weapons production, solar panels, communications, petrochemicals, and automobile manufacturing. It was also included when the government designated 33 essential minerals for regulation last year.’,
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, ‘China is the world’s largest holder and producer of antimony. According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey, China’s antimony reserves as of last year were 640,000 tons, accounting for 29.48% of the world’s total reserves and its production volume of 40,000 tons representing 48.19% of the total.’,
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, ‘Huaweiwen, a senior researcher at the China Institute of Globalization in Huaweiwen, emphasized in an interview with the state-owned media Global Times (GT) that “some rare minerals have dual military and civilian uses, so they are related to security” and stated, “Export control is necessary not only for China’s national security but also for fulfilling international responsibilities.” GT further explained, “Export control, unless the conditions are met, does not mean complete prohibition of exports.”‘,
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