June 29th, 2026

USCSSO @GWU
Jul 27
5 min read

Overview

This week, we discuss new developments in rare earth metals, Chinese aircraft carriers, and fresh backlash at the New Ethnic Unity Law.

Trade

China Imposes Export Controls on United States Rare Earth Firms

By Contributor Deep Basu

China imposes restrictions Rare Earth Exports to US Firm in a another blow to US access to rare earth materials.

Mountain Pass in southeastern California, the United States’ only mine for rare earth elements. (Via SciencenewsExplore)

Ongoing Trade War: On June 22nd, China's Ministry of Commerce added two US firms to their export control list: MP Materials Corp and USA Rare Earth Inc. This slashes these companies access to minerals that China holds dominance on. The Ministry of Commerce also banned Chinese companies from exporting dual use items to 10 companies based in the US which had involvement in military drone construction. China said that these export bans are to safeguard China's national security and protect them from US expansionism. Additionally it serves as retaliation against the US government's similar blacklist of companies affiliated with China's military.

Rare Earth Battle: China dominates the rare earths market globally, accounting for 70% of global rare earth mining, 90% of rare earths separation and processing, and 93% of global magnet manufacturing. Rare earths are crucial for many important technologies, especially the military being using in F-35 Jets, and other unmanned weaponry. China's restriction of rare earths began April 4th, 2025 with the Ministry of Commerce's Announcement 18 that imposed strict export licensing requirements on several rare earth minerals. These rare earth restrictions China imposed has caused prices of rare earth minerals to skyrocket to nearly $14,500 per kilogram.

US Response: In response to the growing dominance of rare earth minerals by China, the US has taken new approaches to domestic rare earth mining. Additionally, the State Department has conducted negotiations on critical mineral agreements to strengthen international partners and security. Using this dual strategy of foreign policy to secure global supplies while using financial investments utilizing the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to strengthen new supply chains and alternatives in China. Although, it will struggle due the supply chains heavy dominance and dependence on China.

Military

Shipment Complete! : Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning Returns After 40 Days of Deployment

By Contributor Henry Pandamadi

On the 22nd of June, the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, returned to Qingdao after 40 days of deployment in the Pacific. The PLAN reported repeated harassment by Japanese ships, that the Japanese Joint Staff have qualified as “not factual”.

Commissioned in 2012, the Liaoning can weigh up to 66 000 tons at full deployment. Originally the Riga then the Varyag, the unfinished hull was purchased in 1998. (via ChinaPower Project - CSIS)

Geopolitical Implications: The strategic value of an aircraft carrier is almost immeasurable in the modern geopolitical landscape. In a military context, they allow for rapid deployment of aircrafts and are largely self-sufficient. In addition, they are able to be placed at strategic locations for long periods of time with limited interference from the host nation. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), they are allowed free navigation in international waters and are even authorised to sail through territorial waters, as long as it is regarded as an “innocent passage”. As China aims to become a “maritime great power”, according to President Xi Jinping, the ability to deploy an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea and beyond is a key factor in China’s goal of becoming a hegemon in the region.

Operations: In the 40 days of deployment, the aircraft carrier completed more than 40 training missions, ranging from anti-ship drills to live-fire exercises. In a new development, the aircraft carrier was used in conjunction with other aircrafts in order to launch amphibious attacks. After leaving on the 18th of May of this year, it first operated in the Philippine Sea and then moved on to the South China Sea. The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiakun, said that the goal of these operations was to maintain “regional stability” as well as “maritime order”. Furthermore, they were commandeered due to “Japan's and the Philippines’ manipulation of maritime delimitation issues”. However, Britain, France and Germany expressed their concern over this “novel Chinese activity”, as did the United States.

Japanese “Harassment”?: Another aspect of Liaoning’s recent operations was the claim of Japanese harassment. The Lianoning group claimed that they were “steadily responding to the dangerous actions of the Japanese side”. Additionally, the Chinese Navy claimed that the Japanese forces had “repeatedly engaged in close-range tracking, surveillance, harassment and provocation.” While the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed that they had surveilled the carrier, Japan has refuted the claims of harassment. This is not the first time the Liaoning has been involved in a back-and-forth between both countries. In fact, in 2025, the Japanese Defense Ministry released maps garnered through their surveillance that the Liaoning had passed through the Economic Exclusive Zone of Japanese island Minamitorishima, before leaving eastwards.

Domestic

New Backlash to China's Ethnic Unity Law

By Gazette Manager Praful Chennupati

China's New Ethnic Unity and Progress Law set to be implemented July 1st has received a new surge in backlash internationally.

On June 24th China's State Council Information Office held a conference to clarify sections of the new Ethnic Unity Law. (via. Peoples Daily Online)

Article 63: On June 24, comments by officials on the controversial Article 63 of the law sparked major backlash. This clause states that people and groups beyond Chinese borders can be held legally accountable for undermining “ethnic unity and progress or inciting ethnic separatism". The Ministry of Justice’s Vice Justice Minister Hu Weilie, speaking in Beijing, claimed that the provision was misinterpreted by western media and was consistent with international practice. He said, “countries all around the world have the right to prevent separatist and destructive activities, and to maintain social solidarity and normal order, through domestic legislation." These comments have raised international alarm, raising flags as a sign of China carrying out censorship even outside its own borders.

Ethnic Unity Law: On March 12, 2026, the National People’s Congress of China adopted the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, a new policy redefining the manner in which the CCP interacts with ethnic minority groups within China. This law has been described as a pivot away from the traditional political autonomy that the ethnic minorities in China have maintained over the past several decades. It pushes for the increased integration of ethnic minorities, and towards a pan-China cultural vision. Skeptics accuse the law of forcing ethnic assimilation, which could lead to the loss of minority cultures and lifestyles. The CCP has responded to these criticisms, arguing that Mandarin is being promoted as a standard language alongside, and not replacing native languages in regions like Tibet.

Backlash: Some experts are worried that this may lead to various pressures like bans, sanctions, and shaming against Taiwanese people, especially those who frequently cross the strait. Lian Wen-Chieh of the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council stated that the law’s vague provisions make it unclear when violations are committed, which could lead to people, even abroad being forced to partake in self-censorship when discussing China. As the law enters implementation on July 1st, it remains to be seen whether it impacts ethnic minorities in regions like Tibet and Xinjiang, or also impacts international scrutiny with regards to censorship abroad.