Comment on "China likely to set up rare earth trade body" (China Daily, Dec 29)

China should be commended for setting up something like a rare earth trading and production agency to oversee the mining, trading and export of the vital minerals that are in demand across the world.

But China should protect its environment and non-renewable resources to ensure that they meet the needs of the people not only now, but also in the future.

Moreover, China should make it clear to the rest of the world that it has the obligation to supply products to meet and satisfy its own needs before exporting them.

Simple Simon, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 01/05/2011 page9)