China exported 16,000 tons of rare earths to Japan in the first nine months of 2010, equivalent to 49.8 percent of its total rare earth exports, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.

The figure was a 167-percent year-on-year rise, ministry spokesman Yao Jian said.

Exports to the United States increased 5.5 percent year on year to 62 million tons during the same period. China exported 32,200 tons of rare earth in the first nine months at an average price of US$14,800 per ton.

Yao said the Chinese government has tightened regulations concerning the development, production and export of rare earths out of concern for the environment.

China cut its 2010 rare earth export quota 39 percent year on year, while rare earth development and production capacities were reduced by 25 percent and 23 percent, respectively, he said.

It has added a 15- to 25-percent export duty on rare earth exports while banning the export of 41 rare earth-related processed products.