China explores rare earth export curbs to target US defence industry: FT

China is looking into curbing the exports of rare earth minerals that are crucial to US defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin Corp for the manufacture of sophisticated weaponry and F-35 fighter jets, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

"The government wants to know if the US may have trouble making F-35 fighter jets if China imposes an export ban," the FT report said, quoting a Chinese government adviser.