US EditionHow China wields rare earths as a strategic weapon
- In October 2024, armed forces from the Kachin Independence Army took over the towns of Chipwi and Pangwa in northern Myanmar, locations vital to the global supply of heavy rare earth elements.
- This core event followed Myanmar's February 2021 military coup and ongoing conflict, which weakened the junta's hold on the region and allowed KIA to expand mining operations.
- The KIA now governs resource zones, imposes export taxes, and negotiates directly with China, which responded by closing border gates and halting shipments, disrupting the rare earth supply chain.
- Gracelin Baskaran of CSIS highlighted Myanmar's critical role by noting that if the country halted its shipments of rare earth materials to China, Beijing would face significant challenges in fulfilling its short-term heavy rare earth demand.
- These events highlight China's dependency on Myanmar’s rare earths and the geopolitical risks of supply disruption, prompting efforts by the EU and others to diversify sources and build strategic reserves.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Rare Earths and Realpolitik • Stimson Center
In October 2024, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seized control of Chipwi and Pangwa, two towns at the center of one of the world’s most valuable concentrations of heavy rare earth elements. These materials, particularly dysprosium and terbium, are essential to the production of electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced defense systems. China responded by […] The post Rare Earths and Realpolitik appeared first on Stimson Center.
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