The South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday that China suffered “the worst power blackouts in a decade. Provinces across China are struggling with blackouts, as authorities use restrictions to curb energy use and manage supply,” the Hong Kong-based newspaper stated.
The Chinese power sector depends on coal imports from Australia. In 2019, around 60 percent of China’s thermal coal imports, the type used in electricity generation, came from Australia. Coal provides up to 70 percent of China’s energy needs.
The coal ban is part of Beijing’s escalating trade war with Australia. They promised to punish the U.S. ally for standing up to China after the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic hit. With more than a hundred other nations, they called for China’s role to be investigated.
Sounds like China punished itself more.
Poetic justice, as they say.
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