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EU says must 'step up' against China rare earths 'racket'
EU says must 'step up' against China rare earths 'racket'
Economy
by  AFP

The European Union must ramp up efforts to break its dependence on China for rare earths faced with export curbs that amount to a "racket" by Beijing, the bloc's industry chief Stephane Sejourne said Tuesday. China, the world's top producer of rare earths, in October announced new controls on the export of the elements, used to make magnets crucial to the auto, electronics and defence industries.

Kyrgyzstan arrests Chinese CEO of gold mining firm
Kyrgyzstan arrests Chinese CEO of gold mining firm
Economy
by  AFP

Kyrgyzstan said Tuesday it had arrested the Chinese CEO of a gold mining firm accused of causing "large-scale" environmental damage, amid growing public scrutiny over Beijing's influence in the Central Asian country. "The activities of the mine ... caused particularly large-scale damage," it said.