China overtakes Russia and the United States and finds a source of ‘inexhaustible energy’ to power the country for thousands of years

Beyond the arms and technology race, the world is in a relentless pursuit of resources to secure its future and drive new advancements.

This is evident in US President Donald Trump’s recent strategic interest in Ukraine’s rare earth elements, which are essential for cutting-edge technologies. Rare earths play a critical role in industries like renewable energy, defense, and electronics, making them a valuable asset in global geopolitics.

Meanwhile, the global energy landscape is also being reshaped by a groundbreaking discovery in China. Geologists in Beijing claim to have identified a “limitless” energy source in Inner Mongolia’s Bayan Obo region. This resource, thorium, could potentially power China’s population of over 1.4 billion for an astonishing 60,000 years. Thorium’s potential as a cleaner and more efficient alternative to fossil fuels has sparked significant interest, as it could revolutionize energy production and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.

What is Thorium?

Thorium is a weakly radioactive element of the actinoid series of the periodic table, which has the atomic number 90 and symbol Th. Discovered by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1828, it is silvery-white metallic chemical element which turns gray or black on exposure to air. It is about half as abundant as lead and is three times more abundant than uranium.

The Bayan Obo mine in Inner Mongolia could hold enough thorium to potentially meet China’s energy needs for virtually an entire lifetime, according to a recently published national study.

The study highlights that the thorium reserves in these mines remain “completely intact.” Furthermore, tapping into this resource could help end China’s historical reliance on fossil fuels. One proposed application is the development of molten salt nuclear reactors, which could produce vast amounts of energy with high efficiency.

Additionally, up to 233 thorium-rich zones have been identified across China. If verified, the country’s thorium reserves would significantly exceed previous estimates. Moreover, thorium is believed to be 500 times more abundant than uranium-232, which is commonly used in conventional nuclear reactors.

United States' interest in Ukraine’s rare earth elements

The discovery and accompanying report come at a pivotal moment in the geopolitical landscape. Trump’s strategic interest in Ukraine’s rare earth elements—an agreement that ultimately fell through after a tense Oval Office meeting—highlights the global race for critical resources. Rare earths are indispensable for advancing new technologies, making them a key focus for nations aiming to secure their technological and economic futures.

Simultaneously, other major powers like Russia and China are intensifying efforts to expand their nuclear technologies. China, in particular, has made significant strides. These developments underscore the high-stakes competition among global powers to dominate the next era of energy and technological innovation.

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