BEIJING — China's export of rare earth increased by 19.2 percent year-on-year to reach 5,551 metric tons in March, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

In the first three months, China exported a total of 11,041 tons of rare earth, down 2.3 percent from the same period last year, showed the data.

China is one of the world's major suppliers of rare earth, a group of 17 elements that are widely used in high-tech products ranging from flat-screen TVs to lasers and hybrid cars.