The World Trade Organization announced Wednesday that China has broken the organization's export rules with its quotas and allocation measures pertaining to rare-earth metals.

China's heavy exploitation of rare-earth metals has come at a huge price to its environment. In several places, outdated technology is being used to extract these substances, leaving harmful chemicals in the soil and surrounding water. Managing the toxic byproducts of rare-earth metal mining is an expensive and time-consuming process. The Chinese government has made the right move by reinforcing and improving its policies covering this industry.

In fact, it could be argued that China's restrictions on rare-earth exports have actually spurred industrial upgrading beyond its own borders. Due to rising prices of rare-earth materials, Toyota Motor Corporation and some other Japanese companies have developed new kinds of electronic motors which don't require these materials.

For the safety of future generations, protecting the environment is our responsibility. Now is the time to utilize advanced and efficient technologies in the rare-earth industry.

Source:China Economic Net