Industrial chain stability sought from latest moves

The Ministry of Commerce has briefed Chinese and European semiconductor enterprises on Beijing's rare earth export control procedures, indicating a potential relaxation of restrictions for European chip supply chain companies to further stabilize global industrial chains, people familiar with the matter told China Daily.

The policy clarification occurred during a Sino-European semiconductor industry cooperation meeting held in Beijing on Tuesday, at which the ministry's Bureau of Industry, Security, Import and Export Control detailed compliance requirements for rare earth exports, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

One source familiar with the closed-door meeting said, "Rare earth elements are indispensable in semiconductor manufacturing. The briefing guided companies and their suppliers on export license applications, signaling enhanced cooperation."