BEIJING, June 17 (CGTN) -- China firmly opposes any attempt to use products made with rare earths from China to suppress China's development, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Monday.

NDRC spokesperson Meng Wei made the comments when asked whether rare earths will become a counter-measure in the ongoing Sino-U.S. trade friction.

The spokesperson noted that China has been actively safeguarding the multilateral trading system, saying China supports economic globalization and adheres to promote the development of China's rare earth industry under the principle of openness, collaboration, and sharing.