The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

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Many Chinese found themselves without heat this winter as local governments scrambled to meet pollution targets by shutting down coal power plants. Mr. Xi has made a cleaner environment a centerpiece of his agenda.

But the idea that coal-dependent northern China could suddenly convert wholesale to gas for power and heat generation smacks of Maoist magical thinking. Chinese gas demand was still a paltry 6.4% of total energy consumption at the end of 2016. Coal comprised 62%.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/strongman-xi-jinping-now-a-big-risk-for-chinas-economy-1516175212