Earlier quoted context omitted.
China can continue to rely on coal for energy independence also. We're seeing this as countries that depended on LNG started firing coal plants again with the Hormuz crisis in effect. As a strong believer in climate change, it's admirable that China is innovating in renewables, but it's not a prerequisite for energy independence. They're already facing anemic job growth and overbuilt infrastructure capacity. If the g…
> China can continue to rely on coal for energy independence also. At the cost of air quality. People are getting used to cleaner air. It's hard to go back. Also the more solar they use, the more coal they can keep around for emergencies. The sun is free energy. In 2025 China recorded a decline in generation from coal for the first time ever. [1] 1. https://ember-energy.org/countries-and-regions/china/#data
If that's the case, then why is the US going back on its renewables commitment?