China denies claims of rare earth export from Pakistan to the US

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian (Xinhua)

BEIJING, 15 Oct 2025: In response to recent media allegations, China has categorically denied claims suggesting that Pakistan has jeopardized its relationship with Beijing by exploiting Chinese technology to export rare earth elements to the United States.

These reports have sparked concerns regarding potential export controls imposed by China on rare earth-related technologies due to alleged cooperation agreements between Pakistan and the U.S.

Lin Jian, a senior Chinese official, addressed these claims, reiterating the strong and enduring "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership" between China and Pakistan. He emphasized, 

“Our iron-clad friendship has stood the test of time,” underscoring the robust strategic mutual trust and ongoing high-level communication between the two nations concerning shared interests.

Lin clarified that discussions between China and Pakistan regarding mining cooperation with the U.S. are ongoing, but he assured that Pakistan has committed to ensuring that its engagements with the U.S. will not compromise China's interests or their bilateral cooperation.

He pointed out that the rare earth samples reportedly presented by Pakistani leaders to U.S. officials were identified as gem ores acquired independently by Pakistan, not materials derived from Chinese technology or subject to export restrictions.

Describing the narratives suggesting a rift in China-Pakistan relations as “misinformed” and “invented,” Lin argued that such stories are designed to create discord between the two allies. He further stressed that the recent export control measures introduced by China on rare earth items are unrelated to Pakistan and are instead part of China's lawful efforts to refine its export system, aimed at protecting global peace, promoting regional stability, and upholding international non-proliferation commitments.

This clarification arrives amidst heightened global scrutiny over access to and control of strategic minerals, highlighting the complexities of interactions among China, Pakistan, and the U.S. in the rare earth sector.

China’s recently released export control measures on related rare earth items have nothing to do with Pakistan. It is a legitimate action by the Chinese government to refine its export control system in accordance with laws and regulations. It aims to better defend world peace and regional stability and to fulfill non-proliferation and other international obligations.