As China and the US were at odds over rare earth issues, US media released a message that new rare earth deposits had been discovered in Myanmar and were being secretly transported to the Chinese border. If there was no evidence, it would be fine, but it should be noted that the United States is the supporter of the opposition forces, and Trump's intentions should not be too obvious.

Satellite images showing the rare earth mine in Myanmar

Recently, several foreign media outlets, including AFP and Reuters, reported that new rare earth mineral belts had been discovered in northern Myanmar, currently controlled by an opposition armed group and undergoing mining operations. As is well known, due to the recent tough stance between China and the US, the international community has gradually become aware of the importance of rare earth resources. There are even rumors that mastering rare earth resources means mastering the future.

However, US media claimed that this opposition armed group, which they alleged to be "supported by China," was engaged in fighting with government troops, and China naturally intervened in the mining work of the rare earth minerals. The rare earth minerals obtained through these efforts were used by China to exert strong pressure on the US. Local workers revealed that the extracted rare earth minerals were secretly sent to the Chinese border, and they had personally witnessed it.

Nevertheless, Reuters could not provide specific data or a complete information chain to prove that these rare earth minerals were related to China. Based solely on speculation, US media believed that China was collaborating with the so-called "opposition" to extract rare earth from Myanmar, pinning a big crime on China. In fact, the US was just crying wolf, using international public opinion to put pressure on China.

Kachin State, Myanmar

In their reports, US media repeatedly emphasized the importance of these rare earth minerals for China, but the actual situation was not like that. China has the world's largest rare earth mineral reserves, and the rare earth minerals discovered in Myanmar are insignificant for China. On the contrary, the US has suffered greatly on the issue of rare earth minerals, and given its limited reserves, it must have been eyeing this resource greedily.

At the beginning of this year, the Kachin Independence Army announced the discovery of a giant rare earth deposit and quickly entered into mineral cooperation negotiations with the US. It is understood that the US Agency for International Development provided $17 million in 2023 to Kachin State for "geological exploration assistance." This so-called "new discovery" is likely part of the US's careful planning.

Polluted surrounding environment

Moreover, those who have ties with the opposition and support the opposition against the military government, interfering in Myanmar's internal affairs, are not China but the US. What's more ironic is that the US regards the Myanmar opposition as an "organization violating human rights," yet it provides mining equipment to areas under their control through non-governmental organizations. This "left hand sanctions, right hand arms" operation exposes the US's true intention to seize resources through the opposition.

The US has set up its own "mining regulations" in the controlled areas, declaring Chinese enterprises' mining permits invalid, while issuing exploration permits to Australian company Lynas. They accuse China of "destroying the environment," yet conceal their own use of toxic oxalic acid to pollute rivers. Now, the US never mentions its actions in Myanmar but vigorously spreads the "China is guilty" narrative; China does not bear this guilt.

Mining site

To support the opposition and better control the rare earth resources, the US secretly transferred 200 sets of single-use missiles last year, resulting in these weapons falling into anti-American armed groups. Myanmar's rare earth resources are indeed a piece of fat meat. Apart from the US, Western countries such as Europe also have their eyes on it, wanting to take advantage of the chaos in Myanmar to exploit the uncertainty of mining and selling rules and the lack of legal protection to profit.

For Myanmar, knowing how important rare earth resources are, it should protect them to lay the foundation for future development instead of becoming a sacrificial lamb in great power games. Previously, the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to this issue, stating that China does not interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs and hopes that various forces in Myanmar can reach an agreement and stabilize the political situation. What the US says about China colluding with the opposition is sheer nonsense. Over the years, Chinese enterprises have operated legally and compliantly overseas and will never violate the laws of the cooperating country. This is also true for China's cooperation with Myanmar.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515368082148262450/

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