China broadened export controls to cover rare-earth materials, technologies and overseas labor, strengthening leverage over global high-tech supply chains.
China has expanded export controls on rare earths and related technologies, and barred citizens from participating in unauthorized mining overseas.
Foreign firms must now secure Beijing permits to export any product containing more than 0.1% domestically sourced rare earths, or items produced using Chinese extraction, refining, magnet-making or recycling technology.
Permits will be denied to entities linked to foreign militaries or those on export-control/watch lists, and applications for goods that could enable weaponry, terrorism or other military uses will be rejected or closely scrutinized.
The rules, which extend controls from raw materials to intellectual property and processes, take effect immediately for technologies and labor; export rules for materials begin December 1. Applications for components tied to sub-14 nm semiconductors, advanced memory, semiconductor equipment or AI with military implications will be reviewed case-by-case.
China supplies roughly 70% of global rare earths, and officials say exemptions will exist for emergency medical and disaster relief while a transition window allows existing contracts to be fulfilled.
Analysts say the move strengthens Beijing's leverage over high-tech supply chains and supports efforts to push Chinese industry up the value chain ahead of upcoming diplomatic talks.