[SMM Breaking News: Chinese Scientists First Identify Rare Earth-Rich Mining Area in the Central Indian Ocean, Seizing the Initiative for Exploitation] Deep-sea rare earth-rich sediments (abbreviated as "deep-sea rare earths") are a newly discovered type of rare earth resource in recent years, attracting significant attention due to their immense resource potential. Currently, the globally reported deep-sea rare earth-rich sediments are mainly concentrated in four sea areas: the Western Pacific, the Central-Northeastern Pacific, the Southeastern Pacific, and the Central Indian Ocean. At the East Asia Marine Expo, two samples of rare earth-rich sediments from the deep ocean were particularly noteworthy. The exhibited rare earth-rich sediment samples were discovered by scientists from the First Institute of Oceanography of the Ministry of Natural Resources in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. According to relevant international regulations, the first discoverer of marine resources holds the priority right to apply for exploitation.