China’s coal market is poised for a significant uptick in prices, according to fresh insights from the China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association (CCTD). General Manager Han Lei of CCTD’s research department highlighted that domestic thermal coal prices have surpassed 800 yuan ($110.41) per metric ton, which is seen by …
Read More »China’s Coal Dependence to Persist despite Global Climate Goals
Amidst global efforts to phase out coal power by 2040, China’s coal consumption is unlikely to decrease significantly by that time, according to a new report by Norwegian consultancy DNV. The report indicates that China’s coal usage, currently the world’s largest, will experience a minor reduction in the next two …
Read More »Saudi Aramco Eyes Stake in Chinese Petrochemical Firm
Saudi oil giant Aramco is proceeding with plans to boost its downstream presence in its most important export market, China, with discussions to buy a minority stake in a Chinese petrochemical company. Aramco has entered into discussions with Hengli Group Co., Ltd. regarding the potential acquisition of a 10% stake …
Read More »China’s New Energy Sector Far from ‘Overcapacity’ against Massive Market Demand
With rapid growth and continuous upgrading in its industrial structure, China has made remarkable progress in the new energy industries in recent years, such as electric vehicles (EVs), solar products and lithium batteries, which has not only met the domestic needs for high-quality development but also cater to the global …
Read More »FBI Warns of Risk of Chinese Hack Attack on Energy Infrastructure
The director of the FBI has warned that the Chinese state has its sights set on U.S. critical infrastructure to compromise U.S. economic and national security. Speaking at the Vanderbilt Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats, Christopher Wray said “The PRC [People’s Republic of China] has made it clear …
Read More »China Tightens Hold on Iraq’s Oil with Al-Faw Refinery Nearing Completion
Back in early 2018 when rumours were rife that then-U.S. President Donald Trump was going to unilaterally withdraw his country from the ‘nuclear deal’ with Iran, China moved to position itself to occupy the vacuum that would be left in Iran and Iraq, at the very heart of the Middle …
Read More »China’s Crude Oil Imports Hit a Record High in 2023
China’s crude oil imports hit a record high in 2023, rising by 10% year-over-year and breaking the previous record from 2020 when the world’s top crude oil importer took advantage of the price crash to gorge on cheap crude. Last year, China’s crude oil imports averaged 11.3 million barrels per …
Read More »Russia and China Evade Sanctions by Trading Copper Disguised as Scrap
Russia has been exporting newly-made copper rod to China disguised as copper scrap in recent months—a new trade avenue for the two regimes that has been evading Western sanctions on Russian copper and export and import duties in both countries, Reuters reported on Monday, citing sources with knowledge of the …
Read More »Record Surge in Global Coal Capacity Led by China
Continued expansion in China’s coal fleet and a slowdown in plant retirements in the United States and Europe in 2023 resulted in the highest net increase in global operating coal capacity since 2016, research group Global Energy Monitor said in its annual survey. While the slower retirements outside China are …
Read More »The World’s Coal Capacity Hit an all-Time High in 2023
Global coal power capacity hit a record last year driven by China, which built the most new capacity, but also helped by a slowdown in coal power plant retirements across the world. This is according to data from Global Energy Monitor, a transition outlet that tracks energy trends. The data …
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