Abstract: The “four chains” upgrading is the basic form and path for the upgrading of the strategic emerging industries. But the separated upgrading of each of the “four chains” would hinder the fast development of the strategic emerging industries. Only through the coordinated upgrading can the healthy and fast development of the strategic emerging industries be realized. The practical development of China’s rare earth industry shows that grasping terminal market demand, patented techniques and standardized leading technology, vertical integrative operation and development of circular economy are the important means for the upgrading of the product chain, the technique chain, the value chain and the ecological chain of the strategic emerging industries. And the key to promote the upgrading of the strategic emerging industries is to restructure the “four chains” by establishing the four strategic alliances with the “four chains” as the links, so as to bring about the matching and connecting of the “four chains”.

Key words: strategic emerging industry; product chain; technique chain; value chain; ecological chain