China’s Xi urges faster development of new energy system as Middle East war continues
Written by: Liz Lee and Claire Fu
BEIJING/SINGAPORE, April 6 (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping called for accelerating the planning and construction of a new energy system to protect the country’s energy security, even though weeks have passed since the Iran war that triggered global energy shocks.
The leader of the world’s second-largest economy also called for a safe and orderly expansion of nuclear energy, while emphasizing hydropower development and ecological protection, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Monday.
“The Party Central Committee has gained a deep understanding of global energy development trends and made important decisions, deeply advancing the new energy security strategy,” he said, referring to the center of authority of the ruling Communist Party.
Xi did not directly mention the war in his speech reported by CCTV.
Even as Tehran pushes back against pressure to quickly reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United States and Iran are considering a Pakistan-brokered plan that could end the five-week conflict.
THE ROLE OF COAL AND GREENER ENERGY
Analysts pointed out that China is in a relatively better position to absorb high oil prices. While coal makes up more than half of the energy mix, oil stocks are abundant and imports through the Strait of Hormuz account for only 5% of total energy consumption.
“As the first country to develop wind and solar energy, the path we have taken has now proven to be forward-looking. At the same time, coal-fired energy remains the foundation of our energy system and should continue to play its supporting role,” Xi said. he said.
China operates more than half of the world’s coal-fired power capacity, making it the largest carbon emitter, a challenge Western-led climate initiatives have long struggled with. Even as the country accelerates renewable energy, it continues to position coal power as the backbone of reliability and a flexible backup system.
Although the president highlighted the role of coal in China’s energy mix, he said the country, the world’s largest consumer of coal, must remain committed to clean, low-carbon development.
“A greener, more diverse and resilient new energy system will provide a strong guarantee for China’s energy security and economic development,” CCTV said. he said.
Last July, China began construction of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Construction of a solar thermal power plant at an altitude of 4,550 meters in Tibet by China General Nuclear Energy Group also started on Monday, according to the State Xinhua News Agency.
(Reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing and Claire Fu in Singapore; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)
