Pakistan keeping China informed about rare earth exports to US: Beijing

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is keeping China informed about its rare earth exports to the United States. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said this in a regular press conference in Beijing on Monday. 

Responding to an issue raised during the presser that “Pakistan took advantage of Chinese equipment and technology to export rare earth to the US, which resulted in China’s strict export control measures on rare earth-related technologies”, Lin said, “From what I’ve learned, the two countries have been in communication on Pakistan-US mining cooperation.”

“Pakistan stressed that its interactions with the US will never harm China’s interests or its cooperation with China,” he added.

‘Just baseless’ 

On the question, “Some we-media accounts said in videos and articles that Pakistan sent rare earth samples to the US and agreed on rare earth cooperation, and China took countermeasures against Pakistan’s rare earth exports to the US”, Lin categorically stated: “The reported stories that you mentioned are either misinformed or invented, or even designed to drive a wedge between China and Pakistan. They are just baseless.”

He said, “The samples that the Pakistani leaders showed and gave to the US leader are gem ores purchased by staff in Pakistan.”

Lin stated that China’s recently released export control measures on related rare earth items have no connection to 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,” he added.

Pak-Afghan Taliban clashes 

On the issue of clashes between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban, Jian said, “Pakistan and Afghanistan are both friendly neighbors of China. The two countries are and will always be neighbors of each other.” 

“Upholding good-neighborliness and the friendly ties, pursuing economic and social development, and jointly combating terrorism serve the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides,” he added.