US-China rivalry intensifies
Diplomatic ties may improve under Biden, but both governments will compete to lead the green energy revolution
In early 2020, Chinese decision-makers were preparing to wrap up the 13th five-year economic plan and draft the next one. Beijing had hoped to finalise a number of domestic development goals and thought that the pending ‘phase one’ trade agreement with the US—expected to see China purchase an additional $52.4bn of energy exports—would give the government the diplomatic breathing space to focus on its domestic agenda. China had little pressure to issue ambitious new pledges. But 2020 did not pan out as expected. Efforts to control the spread of Covid-19 took a toll on China’s economy, leading to the first contraction in Chinese GDP for over three decades. The country’s external environment s
Also in this section
17 May 2024
The latest drought crisis is passing, but longer-term solutions are in motion, explains Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez Morales
16 May 2024
Flat oil growth in 2024 highlights mounting industry problems
15 May 2024
Five years ago, Uzbekistan turned to a private company called Saneg to reverse the fortunes of its oil industry. Results so far are encouraging, and according to CEO Tulkin Yusupov, further progress is on the way
14 May 2024
But there is still plenty of appetite for the country’s LNG in the Asia-Pacific region