BEIJING - China has made significant strides in lithium exploration, emerging as the world's second-largest holder of lithium reserves.

The China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources said Wednesday that the country's lithium reserves have increased from 6 percent to 16.5 percent of the global total, propelling it from sixth to second place in the world rankings.

A world-class spodumene-type lithium belt spanning 2,800 kilometers in west China has been discovered. The lithium resources found in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau's salt lakes have also seen substantial growth, positioning China as the third-largest salt lake lithium resource base globally.

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Moreover, Chinese researchers have overcome significant technical challenges in extracting lithium from lepidolite, a mineral with high lithium content that has been difficult and costly to process.

Lithium is a critical element for a wide range of emerging industries, including electric vehicles (EV), energy storage systems, mobile communications, medical treatments, and nuclear reactor fuel.

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China's increased domestic lithium exploration is expected to reduce its reliance on foreign supplies and contribute to a more balanced global lithium market, experts said.