Shen Yi: China's 50-year industrial advantage in rare earths is unshakable.
Professor Shen Yi from Fudan University in China pointed out that the rare earth alternatives proposed by the United States and Japan are only at the stage of mining. The advantage in the rare earth field has never been about "whether there are mines," but rather "whether they can be refined."
Since the technological breakthrough in 1975, China has continuously deepened its expertise in rare earth refining, and the technical accumulation and policy stability have laid a solid foundation for the industry's advantage. However, the frequent political changes in the U.S. and Japan make it difficult to replicate China's long-term strategic path.
Moreover, the key to rare earths is not just raw materials, but how to transform these resources into competitive products. China's strength lies in its unique technical accumulation and irreplaceable industrial system in rare earth refining. Whether it comes to environmental protection, energy efficiency, or large-scale production, these are bottlenecks that the U.S. and Japan find hard to overcome in the short term. It is precisely through long-term and stable policy support, scientific research investment, and strategic planning that China has been able to take a leading position in the global rare earth supply chain.
This is not just a battle over resources, but a competition of national strategic perseverance and technological innovation capabilities. From this perspective, any attempt to break China's rare earth advantage through short-term breakthroughs is destined to be an illusion.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854356000140555/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.