China bans export of key minerals to US

Moscow, Dec 3. - China has banned exports to the United States (USA) of products related to the minerals gallium, germanium and antimony, which may have military applications, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Tuesday.

"In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China and other laws and regulations, and in order to safeguard national security and interests and comply with international obligations such as non-proliferation, it has been decided to strengthen control of exports of dual-use products to the United States," the statement said.

Also, the export of dual-use graphite products to the United States will be subject to stricter review of the end user and end use, it said. Those who violate the provisions "will be investigated for legal responsibility in accordance with the law," the ministry said.

The measure will come into effect on December 3.

Gallium and germanium are used in semiconductors, while germanium is also used in infrared technology, fiber optic cables and solar cells. This year, China has accounted for 59.2 percent of the world's refined germanium production and 98.8 percent of refined gallium production, Reuters reports. (Text and photo: RT)