China and other countries involved in a dispute regarding rare earths are set to negotiate in Geneva. China is set to issue a white paper by mid-May, to clarify its stance on the production and exports of rare earths.

The minerals are a group of 17 elements mainly used the in manufacturing hi-tech products. China supplies more than 90 percent of the world's rare earth minerals, but its reserves only account for about one-third of the world's total.

Faced with widespread environmental challenges, the country has launched nationwide campaigns to clean up its mines. However, these policies, including production caps, export quota cuts and stricter emission standards, have sparked concerns among foreign consumers.

(CNTV.cn April 25, 2012)