China’s Ministry of Commerce on Thursday defended proposed export controls on battery cathode and lithium extraction technologies as necessary to promote domestic scientific and development, a notion analysts see as more aimed at fortifying China’s electric vehicle market than an attempt to handicap the U.S. battery supply chain. Beijing on Jan. 2 launched a public consultation as part of the process to update to its Catalogue of Technologies Subject to Export Prohibitions and Restriction. Proposed changes include adding to the...