Farrell welcomes Chinese investment in critical minerals

"We need the investment whether it's the Europeans, whether it's the Japanese, the Koreans, the Singaporeans, the United States or China." Earlier this year, Treasurer Jim Chalmers blocked a Chinese businessman from increasing his stake in a rare earth miner based on advice from the Foreign Investment Review Board. Dr Chalmers previously flagged the government would become more cautious over foreign ownership of critical mineral resources. Australian miners such as Lynas Rare Earths founder Nick Curtis have said there was justification for government curbs on Chinese investment and influence in the industry because of national security concerns. But Mr Farrell…