But China has another motive for tightening the noose on rare-earth exports: it wants to force high-tech firms to operate in China, so that local companies can absorb their technologies. A senior official of a Chinese company has said that, even though rare-earth exports have been restricted, Japanese companies can secure their supply by launching operations in China.
此外，中国限制稀土出口的背后有着另一个动机：它想迫使全球高科技企业都转移到中国生产，以便让本土企业吸收前者的技术。正如一名中方高级官员所说，即便稀土出口受限，日本企业也能通过在华设厂的方式保证生产。