China's Strategic Crackdown on Mineral Smuggling

China has embarked on a stringent campaign aimed at curbing the smuggling of strategic minerals crucial to industries such as defense and clean energy. This move comes as part of Beijing's broader efforts to enforce new export restrictions.

The crackdown was announced by China's ministry of commerce during a conference in Shenzhen, spotlighting increased collaboration between overseas parties and domestic lawbreakers aiming to dodge the new restrictions. Authorities are focusing on common evasion techniques, including false reporting and concealment.

In a notable incident, Hong Kong authorities seized antimony ingots without offering an explanation, highlighting the campaign's intensity. Since imposing the controls, China's mineral exports have sharply declined, with only a single significant shipment to Japan noted this year.

(With inputs from agencies.)