China's Premier Vows Rare Earth Dominance, AI Push Amid Tech Rivalry

China's premier has pledged to strengthen the country's control over critical resources like rare earths while racing to lead in new technologies like artificial intelligence. Premier Li Qiang made the statement during a visit to Ganzhou, a major global hub for rare earth production. The trip comes as China prepares its next five-year economic plan. Rare earths are a group of metals vital for making high-tech products. These include smartphones, electric vehicles and military equipment. China currently dominates global supply. "China will consolidate and enhance its advantages in traditional industries," Li said. He also called for faster breakthroughs in "frontier areas" such as AI. The announcement highlights Beijing's strategy in its technology competition with the United States. It aims to secure its existing supply chains while investing in future innovations. The new five-year plan is expected to detail these industrial priorities.