WTO上诉机构驳回中国稀土案上诉

A World Trade Organisation panel has upheld a ruling that China broke trade rules by restricting exports of rare earths, minerals used in high-tech products, including hybrid cars, mobile phones, wind turbines and energy-efficient lighting.

世界贸易组织(WTO)一专家委员会维持了有关中国限制稀土出口违反贸易规则的裁决。稀土用于高科技产品，包括混合动力汽车、手机、风力发电机和节能灯。

The organisation's appellate body affirmed a March ruling against China, in a significant victory for the US, EU and Japan.

WTO上诉机构确认了今年3月作出的对中国不利的裁决，这是美国、欧盟(EU)以及日本的巨大胜利。

Michael Froman, the US trade representative, said he was pleased that the US had prevailed in the case.

美国贸易代表迈克•弗洛曼(Michael Froman)表示，他对于美国的胜诉感到满意。

"We have sent a clear signal to our trading partners that we will be tenacious in protecting American businesses, American workers, and the rule of law. By upholding rules on fair access to raw materials, this decision is a win not only for the United Sates, but also for every nation that respects the principles of openness and fairness. Those principles are the pillars of the rules-based global trading system, and we must protect them vigilantly."

“我们向我们的贸易伙伴传达了一个明确信号：我们将坚决保护美国企业、美国员工以及法治。通过维持有关平等获取原材料的规定，这一裁决不仅是美国的胜利，也是所有尊重公开和公平原则的国家的胜利。这些原则是基于规则的全球贸易体系的支柱，我们必须小心保护。”

China accounts for 90 per cent of global production of the 17 elements – including lanthanum, tungsten, neodymium and molybdenum – known as rare earths.

中国占全球17种被称为稀土的元素产量的90%，包括镧、钨、钕和钼。

Beijing's export restriction was first introduced in 2009. Two years later, the cost of some rare earths had soared by as much as 500 per cent amid fears of a global shortage.

中国于2009年首次实行出口限制。两年后，由于市场担心全球供应短缺，一些稀土的价格飙升500%。