During this year’s Two Sessions, Tong Mingquan, a National People's Congress (NPC) deputy and the deputy general manager of Shanxi Huayang Carbon Materials Technology Co., Ltd., emphasized the need for targeted national policies to support the transformation of coal enterprises in resource-rich regions.
Source: China Coal Industry
During this year’s Two Sessions, Tong Mingquan, a National People's Congress (NPC) deputy and the deputy general manager of Shanxi Huayang Carbon Materials Technology Co., Ltd., emphasized the need for targeted national policies to support the transformation of coal enterprises in resource-rich regions. He pointed out that Shanxi, as one of China’s major coal-producing provinces, has long faced issues such as a single-industry economic structure and significant pressures to transition. To promote sustainable development, he has proposed a series of recommendations aimed at helping coal enterprises in these areas transform.
Shanxi has played a pivotal role in securing China’s energy supply, consistently ranking among the nation’s top coal producers. However, its economy has become heavily reliant on coal, with long-standing challenges related to overdependence on coal prices and production. Tong stressed that driving the transformation of the coal sector is essential for Shanxi to achieve high-quality economic growth and develop new sources of economic strength.
In 2019, Shanxi was designated as the first province in China to pilot a comprehensive energy reform initiative. This reform aimed to drive the coal industry’s high-quality development through intelligent, green, and clean energy transitions, offering valuable lessons for the wider coal industry. "While progress has been made, some key coal-producing regions in Shanxi still face significant challenges in their transition," Tong explained. To address these challenges, Tong proposed three targeted policy measures:
Create a Coal Industry Transformation Fund – This fund would specifically support new project development, industry diversification, worker resettlement, and social security measures for coal enterprises and regions dependent on coal.
Prioritize Resource-Rich Regions in National Industrial Plans – When planning major national projects and industrial initiatives, the central government should prioritize resource-rich regions to ensure their economic sustainability and growth.
Establish a Regional Assistance Program Similar to the "Aid Xinjiang" Initiative – Tong suggested that coastal provinces, which heavily import electricity, should provide targeted support for the economic transformation of key resource-dependent cities.
Tong’s recommendations highlight the need for tailored, strategic policies that will help Shanxi and other resource-dependent regions diversify their economies and create a sustainable, high-quality future.
Reproduced article do not represent the position of New Energy Era.