The 15th China Baotou Rare Earth Industry Forum opened on Wednesday at Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, to promote the high-quality development of the rare earth industry.

Co-hosted by the regional government, the Chinese Society of Rare Earth and the Association of China Rare Earth Industry, the forum attracted more than 1,800 government officials, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chinese Academy of Sciences, experts from related industry associations and representatives of enterprises.

Ding Xiufeng, Party sectary of Baotou, said the city will strive to build itself into the most extensive rare earth materials base in the country and the world's leading rare earth application base. By 2025, the output value of the rare earth industry will be more than 100 billion yuan ($13.71 billion), Ding said.

"Baotou ranks first in rare earth reserves and smelting separation capacity in the world," he added. "By 2025, smelting separation and waste recycling capacities will reach more than 200,000 tons and 65,000 tons, respectively. The output value of the rare earth upstream industry will be more than 50 billion yuan. The total output value of the rare earth new materials and application industries will surpass 30 billion yuan and 20 billion yuan, respectively."

In addition, the city will promote major scientific and technological innovation. By 2025, it will set up more than 20 innovation platforms and make 20 major innovation achievements, Ding said.