'Respect market economy': China rebuts G7 on critical minerals

BEIJING: China defended its export control measures on critical mineral supplies and urged the Group of Seven nations to respect market economy principles and international trading rules rather favouring "small cliques", its foreign ministry said on Thursday.

The remarks followed an agreement by G7 leaders on Wednesday to step up coordination to cut their countries' reliance on China for critical minerals and including plans to align stockpiling and expand the role of the International Energy Agency.

"China's efforts to standardise and improve its export control system are in line with international practices," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular briefing. "The aim is to safeguard world peace and regional stability and to fulfill international obligations related to non-proliferation."