China's dominance in the high-tech industry is significantly supported by its control and processing of C. Rare Earth elements. These elements, which include 17 chemical elements such as neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, are crucial for the manufacturing of a wide range of high-tech products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, batteries, and defense technologies.
China possesses a large majority of the world's rare earth reserves and has strategically positioned itself as the leading producer and exporter of these materials. By controlling the supply chain associated with rare earth elements, China has been able to exert considerable influence over the global high-tech market, making it a pivotal player in industries that rely heavily on these resources.
While water, oil, and priceless gems are important resources for various industries, they do not hold the same level of direct impact on the high-tech sector as rare earth elements do. Therefore, the answer is C. Rare Earth elements.
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