Beijing plans to enforce tough export restrictions on critical minerals this fall. ^[1] Malaysia's rare earth reserves are attracting increased interest from foreign investors as Japan and Western countries scramble to diversify supply from China. ^[2] Sergey Lavrov, the head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at the Eastern Economic Forum that the West is conducting a policy more aggressively to divide Eurasia. ^[3] China is stepping up export controls on critical minerals. ^[4] The country is looking to expand its critical minerals industry. ^[5] Lavrov asserted that the use of the largest continent's advantages has long been hindered by Western policy. ^[6] Lavrov emphasized that the West is currently conducting this divisive policy even more fiercely than before. ^[7] Sergey Lavrov declared that Russia will not beg Europe to cancel sanctions because such behavior is not in the genetic code of the Russian people. ^[8]