Wilson, Jeffrey D2015-08-102015-08-10Wilson, Jeffrey D. (2011) “China’s Rare Earths and Global Resource Security,” ANU–MASI Policy Background Paper, No. 5, 30 September.http://hdl.handle.net/1885/14642RARE earth minerals (REMs) – a hitherto poorly known set of minerals – have recently stormed onto world headlines. Described by some analysts as the “next oil” in global geopolitics, rare earths have become a major new concern for global resource security due to increasingly restrictive supply policies. Rare earth prices have surged as a result, and the governments of major consuming states, such as Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and the US, have begun efforts to develop new, more secure sources of rare earths supply.Copyright the author/s. Permission is freely given to publish this paper in its entirety or in part in any newspaper, wire service, internet network, newsletter or blog, provided that full credit is given to the author(s), the Department of International Relations (ANU), and the MacArthur Foundation. Kindly inform the editor (see paper) and provide details as to where and when the publication occurred.2011-09-30