China maintains reliance on coal

摘要

Launched by President Xi Jin-ping in 2013, China's ambitious 'One Belt, One Road' (OBOR) has morphed into an estimated US$900B-plus series of infrastructure projects and proposals along land routes for road and rail transport, the Silk Road Economic Belt, and sea lanes, the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, from Asia to Europe. Despite an initial vision to develop low-carbon policies, Beijing's OBOR ambitions have required continued investment in coal power infrastructure across Eurasia and China's growing spheres of influence. The construction of port terminals, railways, highways and infrastructure along these routes spells large-scale, sustained demand for thermal coal for electricity, and metallurgical coal for steel too.