中国因WTO投诉取消稀土配额制度

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【原文标题】China scraps quotas on rare earths after WTO complaint

【中文标题】中国因WTO投诉取消稀土配额制度

【原文链接】

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30678227

【更新时间】

5 January 2015 Last updated at 10:13

【正文】

China has scrapped its quota systemrestricting exports of rare earth minerals after losing a World TradeOrganisation (WTO) case.

在世贸组织的案子败诉之后，中国已经取消了限制稀土出口配额制度。

Beijing imposed the restriction in 2009 whileit tried to develop its own industry for the 17 minerals, which are crucial tomaking many hi-tech products, including mobile phones.

北京在2009年已经实行了稀土出口限制，但因本土产业发展需要，仍开发17种对制造包括移动手机在内的高新技术产品至关重要的矿物质。

Lastyear, a WTO panel ruled that Chinahad failed to show the export quotas were justified.

去年，一个WTO专家组裁定中国无法证明出口配额的合理性。

China dominates rare earth production.

中国主导着稀土的出产。               

It isestimated to be responsible for 90% of its production, despite only having athird of the world's deposits.

据估计，尽管中国稀土储存只占世界的三分之一，但其产量占世界的90%，

Thechange was detailed in China'sMinistry of Commerce trade guidelines, issued at the end of December.

这项变革的详解在十二月底发布于中国商务部贸易指南。

Under thenew guidelines, rare earths will still require an export licence but the amountthat can be sold abroad will no longer be covered by a quota.

在新的指导方针下，出口稀土仍需要许可证，不过出口到国外的稀土不用再受配额制约束。

The United States, the European Union and Japan had complained that China was limiting exports in a bidto drive up prices.

美国，欧盟和日本曾投诉中国限制出口是为了抬高价格。

Thecomplaint, upheld by the WTO, also said the quota was designed to gain marketadvantage for domestic producers with cheaper access to the raw materials.

世贸组织受理这一诉状，也声称出口配额制度是为了中国本土生产者争取市场份额，以便他们以更低价获得原料。