China's plan to eliminate over 800 million metric tonnes of coal capacity as listed in its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) has raised concerns in Heilongjiang Province, which heavily relies on its coal industry.
The three-day Central Economic Work Conference, an opportunity for policymakers to review the past and plan for 2018, concluded on Wednesday. During the conference, Heilongjiang gave the answer to the coal industry's future.
Graphene, the lightest, strongest, thinnest, best heat-and electricity-conducting material ever discovered, is here to save the province's economy.
Sixty percent of the nation's total graphite reserves are in Heilongjiang Province, and traditional mining companies will not miss out on the potentials graphene may bring.
China is decisive to eliminate over 800 million metric tonnes of coal capacity, which has raised concerns over the coal industry in the resource-rich Heilongjiang Province. /CGTN Photo
China is decisive to eliminate over 800 million metric tonnes of coal capacity, which has raised concerns over the coal industry in the resource-rich Heilongjiang Province. /CGTN Photo
Staff showcasing graphene. /CGTN Photo
Staff showcasing graphene. /CGTN Photo
"It took years for us to get where we are today. We've been trying to separate this atomically thin material from its native metal substrate with equipment developed by our own tea. Our 100 tonnes per annual production line is up and running," said Chen Shishan, manager of one graphene material firm in Qitaihe, known as the "coal city" in the province.
Chen Shishan told CGTN that the graphene business has already absorbed some redundant workforce from the coal mining sector. /CGTN Photo
Chen Shishan told CGTN that the graphene business has already absorbed some redundant workforce from the coal mining sector. /CGTN Photo
The project is fully backed by the local government that is keen on looking for an alternative amid the latest round of overcapacity cuts in coal production. Chen also said that the graphene business has already absorbed some redundant workforce from the coal mining sector, noting that the potential is huge once the downstream industries of graphene are set up.
The miners have spent their lives contributing to China's economic growth, but they are finding themselves on the losing end of economic transformation as the country adopts more methods based on market rules while phasing out outdated capacity.
As China vows to cut overcapacity in its mining industry, the country's so-called "coal cities" face an uncertain future. Resulting unemployment, social instability, and people's livelihoods are some of the factors that need to be considered and addressed, sooner or later.
As China vows to cut overcapacity in its mining industry, the country's so-called "coal cities" face an uncertain future. /CGTN Photo
As China vows to cut overcapacity in its mining industry, the country's so-called "coal cities" face an uncertain future. /CGTN Photo
The miners in coal-industry-heavy provinces have spent their lives contributing to China's growth, but they are finding themselves on the losing end of the economic transformation. /CGTN Photo
The miners in coal-industry-heavy provinces have spent their lives contributing to China's growth, but they are finding themselves on the losing end of the economic transformation. /CGTN Photo
The country's so-called "coal cities" face an uncertain future. Resulting unemployment, social instability, and people's livelihoods are some of the factors that need to be considered and addressed, sooner or later. /CGTN Photo
The country's so-called "coal cities" face an uncertain future. Resulting unemployment, social instability, and people's livelihoods are some of the factors that need to be considered and addressed, sooner or later. /CGTN Photo
Away from coal, the city of Qitaihe has another advantage in sports: It is home to 10 Olympics champions in short-track speed skating.
People are often curious about why the kids from miner families can do so well on ice.
Away from coal, the city of Qitaihe has another advantage in sports, it is home to 10 Olympics champions in short-track speed skating. /CGTN Photo
Away from coal, the city of Qitaihe has another advantage in sports, it is home to 10 Olympics champions in short-track speed skating. /CGTN Photo
People often get curious about why the kids from miner families can do so well on ice. /CGTN Photo
People often get curious about why the kids from miner families can do so well on ice. /CGTN Photo
"Our model of talent cultivation is to encourage all children of the city to participate in this sport without disrupting their studies. We then start more comprehensive training with the gifted ones," speed skating coach Dong Yanhai told CGTN.
Coach Dong Yanhai shares his model of talent cultivation, that is to encourage all children of the city to participate in this sport without disrupting their studies. /CGTN Photo
Coach Dong Yanhai shares his model of talent cultivation, that is to encourage all children of the city to participate in this sport without disrupting their studies. /CGTN Photo
And what can sports do to help economic transformation? Over the years, the city has held many sports events to boost its economic vitality and diversity with the reputation of speed skating.
The city has held many sports events to boost its economic vitality and diversity with the reputation of speed skating. /CGTN Photo
The city has held many sports events to boost its economic vitality and diversity with the reputation of speed skating. /CGTN Photo
As excess capacity has weighed on China’s overall economic performance, cutting overcapacity is high on the reform agenda. Just like speed skating, you have to lessen the burden before getting on the race track.
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