Abstract:

In order to describe the evolution process of global rare earth trade clearly, based on the United Nations commodity trade data from 1991 to 2021, social network analysis method was used to sort out the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of global rare earth trade pattern since 1991. The results show that: ① In terms of the structure of rare earth trade products, downstream products always dominate the import and export of rare earth. China has become a major importer and exporter of rare earth with its strong market demand and resource endowment. ② In terms of network structure, the complexity of global rare earth trade network is gradually increasing, showing the characteristics of network structure dominated by exporting countries, and the trading countries with high node degree are in the core position in the whole network. "Peer-to-peer" trade patterns are obvious and economies are highly dependent on each other. ③ The interdependence degree of rare earth trade between China and other countries (regions) is deepening, the scale of individual network is expanding, the role of "bridge" in the rare earth trade network is significantly improved, the ability to use structural holes is increasing year by year, and the flexibility and freedom of the network are constantly enhanced.

Key words: rare earth trade, complex network, topological structure, spatial and temporal pattern, China

摘要：

为了清晰地刻画全球稀土贸易变迁过程，基于1991—2021年联合国商品贸易数据库数据，利用社会网络分析方法，梳理自1991年来全球稀土贸易格局的时空演化特征。研究发现：①稀土贸易产品结构中，下游产品始终占据稀土进出口贸易主导地位，中国以强大的市场需求和资源禀赋，成为全球稀土进出口大国。②网络结构上，全球稀土贸易网络复杂性逐渐增强，呈现由出口国主导的网络结构特征，高节点度的国家在整个网络中居于核心位置；“点对点”贸易模式明显，经济体间的依赖性较强。③中国与其他国家（地区）间的稀土贸易相互依存度总体加深，个体网络的规模不断拓展，在稀土贸易网络中“桥”的作用显著提升，运用结构洞的能力逐年提升，网络的灵活性和自由性不断增强。

关键词: 稀土贸易, 复杂网络, 拓扑结构, 时空格局, 中国