The Ministry of Commerce of the Chinese mainland has declared a “zero tolerance” policy on the smuggling of strategic minerals, vowing to crack down on illicit exports that threaten national security and global tech supply chains.
According to spokesperson He Yadong, a recent two-month push saw authorities dismantle major smuggling networks, detain several suspects, and deliver a significant deterrent effect across key transit hubs.
Despite these gains, the landscape remains challenging. Officials highlight continued attempts to bypass export controls and urgent risks of dual-use technology leaking to unauthorized users.
To bolster enforcement, the Chinese mainland will launch a joint law enforcement coordination center for dual-use export controls, publish a series of landmark enforcement and judicial cases, and blacklist illegal foreign entities from future exports.
New guidelines for compliant exports will urge companies to conduct thorough due diligence on downstream users, ensuring strategic minerals like lithium and cobalt are not diverted to military or prohibited applications.
As demand for advanced materials surges in sectors from electric vehicles to semiconductors, this zero-tolerance stance is poised to reshape global sourcing strategies. What ripple effects will this have on technology innovators and supply chain resilience? Share your thoughts below.
Reference(s):
China says it adopts 'zero tolerance' on strategic mineral smuggling
cgtn.com
