The rare earth elements refining boom in China during the 1990s positioned the country as a dominant player in the global market for high-tech applications. This surge in production was driven by increasing demand for rare earth elements in electronics, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. China's control over these critical materials has significant implications for global supply chains and technological development. The boom has raised concerns about environmental impacts and the sustainability of rare earth mining practices.

The rare earth elements refining boom in China in 1990 underpinned the digital revolution, influencing contemporary poetry that critiqued globalization and technological dependency. Poets began to address the implications of resource extraction and the interconnectedness of global economies.