No Need to Satisfy Rare Earths Appetites of Western Countries

(Beijing) -- China, the world's largest producer of rare earths, issued its 2011 export quota which was relatively unchanged compared to last year's, according to a statement by the Ministry of Commerce in mid-July.

Western countries raised their eyebrows at China's failure to increase the quota for the minerals, which are vital to manufacturing high-tech products and are used in the electronics, defense and renewable energy sectors.