BEIJING - China exported 16,000 tons of rare earth to Japan in the first nine months of the year, equivalent to 49.8 percent of its total rare earth exports, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday.The figure was a 167-percent year-on-year rise, MOC spokesman Yao Jian said at a press conference.Exports to the United States increased 5.5 percent year-on-year to 6,200 tons during the same period, equivalent to 19 percent of China's total rare earth exports.China exported 32,200 tons of rare earth in the first nine months of the year at an average price of $14,800 per ton.Yao said the Chinese government has tightened regulations concerning the development, production and export of rare earth out of concern for the environment.China cut its 2010 rare earth export quota 39 percent year on year while rare earth development and production capacities were reduced by 25 percent and 23 percent, respectively, he said.In addition, China has added a 15- to 25-percent export duty on rare earth exports while banning the export of 41 rare earth-related processed products.
New energies to lead copper growth. 
