A Chinese-backed militia is protecting new rare earth mines in eastern Myanmar as Beijing moves to ensure control of the minerals it is wielding as a bargaining chip in its trade war with Washington. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/12/asia-pacific/politics/china-militia-rare-earth-myanmar/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #china #myanmar #rareearths #mining #southeastasia