China reviews licensing for rare earth exports in accordance with law: official

China has reaffirmed its commitment to responsible trade in export-controlled items, including rare earths, emphasizing its legal and regulatory compliance, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The spokesman He Yadong also said China is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with relevant parties.

"Relevant items like rare earth apparently can be used for both military and civilian purposes. China conducted licensing reviews in accordance with laws and regulations, and granted licenses to compliant applications. China has repeatedly emphasized its willingness to strengthen communication and cooperation with all parties. China will continuously optimize licensing procedures, actively adapt to facilitation measures such as general licensing, promote trading in export-controlled items that is consistent with compliance requirements, and ensure the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains," said He.

Russian forces carried out a "massive strike" on Ukraine's military-industrial complex, energy facilities and port infrastructure, the Russian defense ministry said Saturday.

The strike was in response to Ukraine's overnight attacks on Russia's civilian objects, said the ministry, adding that the strike involved long-range high-precision air- and ground-based weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier in the day that rescue efforts were underway in numerous regions following Russia's attacks.

Zelensky said Russia launched over 650 drones and 51 missiles targeting multiple regions, with injuries reported. He added that the main targets were energy facilities.