关于稀土的毕业论文外文文献与翻译--中国的稀土产业：西方能学到什么？.docx

Chinas Rare Earth Elements Industry: What Can the West Learn?By Cindy HurstCorporate Author:?INSTITUTE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL SECURITY WASHINGTON DCPersonal Author(s):?Hurst, CindyReport Date:?MAR 2010Pagination or Media Count:?43Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS)U.S. Army Foreign Military Studies Office,731 McClellan Avenue,FortLeavenworth,KS,66027Cindy Hurst is an analyst for the U.S. Army’s Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, KSIntroductionChina controls approximately 97 percent of the worlds rare earth elementmarket. These elements, which are not widely known because they are so low onthe production chain, are critical to hundreds of high tech applications, many ofwhich define our modern way of life. Without rare earth elements, much of theworlds modern technology would be vastly different and many applications wouldnot be possible. For one thing, we would not have the advantage of smaller sizedtechnology, such as the cell phone and laptop computer, without the use of rareearth elements. Rare earth elements are also essential for the defense industryand are found in cruise missiles, precision guided munitions, radar systems andreactive armor. They are also key to the emergence of green technology such asthe new generation of wind powered turbines and plug-in hybrid vehicles, as wellas to oil refineries, where they act as a catalyst. (Note: for more in-depthinformation on the specific uses of rare earth elements, refer to Appendix A).Over the past few years, China has come under increasing scrutiny andcriticism over its monopoly of the rare earth industry and for gradually reducingexport quotas of these resources. However, China is faced with its own internalissues that, if not addressed, could soon stress the countrys rare earth industry.This paper is designed to give the reader a better understanding of whatrare earth elements are and their importance to society in general and to U.S.defense and energy policy in particular.