Part 16/20:
Historically, environmental degradation has been a byproduct of China's pursuit of dominance—mountain forests turned wastelands, polluted water sources, and ecological damage. Yet, Chinese investments in research, processing technology, and waste management have maintained its competitive edge. Controlling over critical processing technologies is seen as the real battleground; whoever masters these holds the key to controlling the global supply chain.
In recent years, China has imposed export restrictions, demanding approvals for certain products containing more than 0.1% of Chinese-mined minerals—a move that leverages its technological dominance. This effectively allows China to control not just raw materials but also the downstream sectors essential for global manufacturing.