BEIJING (Feb 11): China's second-ranking official, Premier Li Qiang, inspected rare earth facilities in the southern province of Jiangxi on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua reported, using the visit to hint at intensifying competition with the US over strategic minerals. Such pre‑holiday inspections are traditionally moments for China's top leadership to telegraph policy direction before Lunar New Year festivities begin. Rare earths are also key to the manufacture of weapons. "It is necessary to promote the deep integration of industry, academia, research and application, (and) expand the application of rare earth technology," Li added. He visited a research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences think tank, the report added, along with several unnamed enterprises in the rare earth production line.

Source: The Edge Markets February 11, 2026 01:13 UTC