China’s exports of rare-earth magnets increased nearly threefold in June from the previous month, after the country lifted some export controls on the critical industrial inputs following a deal with the U.

China's exports of two critical minerals used in weapons, telecommunications and solar cells have plunged over the past three months amid a crackdown on smuggling and transshipment that has involved China's top spy agency.

China's Ministry of State Security says it is cracking down on alleged smuggling of rare earths materials that it says threaten national security.