China's National Energy Administration (NEA) on Monday released the country's first-ever hydrogen energy development report, revealing that the country's hydrogen production and consumption topped 36.5 million tons in 2024, securing the top spot worldwide.
According to the report, by the end of 2024, renewable energy-based hydrogen production projects worldwide had an annual capacity of over 250,000 tons, with China contributing more than half of the total, positioning the country as a leader in global hydrogen production from renewable energy sources and related industries.
"In 2024, hydrogen production in China's 'Three-North' regions (northwest, north and northeast China) accounted for more than half of the national total, with Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia and other regions all ranking among the top positions. By the end of 2024, over 600 water electrolysis hydrogen production projects were planned across the country, with more than 150 already under construction or completed, yielding an annual production capacity of around 125,000 tons. These projects are mainly concentrated in northwest and north China, together accounting for nearly 90 percent of the country's total established hydrogen production capacity," said Xu Jilin, deputy director of the NEA's energy conservation and sci-tech equipment department, at a press conference in Beijing on Monday.
The report underscores China's significant advancements in hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilization technologies.
Several large-scale renewable energy-based hydrogen production projects have been completed and put into operation, and the pilot application of fuel cell vehicles has been steadily advancing, with more than 540 hydrogen refueling stations built across the country, according to the report.
China leads global hydrogen production, consumption in 2024: report
China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Tuesday emphasized the importance of upholding international rules, saying that the conflict between the United States and Iran, which has lasted for over a hundred days, has severely impacted the regional and international situation.
Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks during the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors and High Representatives on National Security held in New Delhi, India.
He said that the recent signing of the first phase of the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, along with the conflict, has made many things clear to us.
The first is the importance of upholding international rules, Wang said at Tuesday's conference.
"The settlement of any international and regional hotspot issues should be based on abiding by international rules. The law of the jungle may succeed for a while, but it is not sustainable," he said.
The second is the importance of respecting national sovereignty, Wang said, adding that territorial integrity shall not be violated and a country's internal affairs shall not be interfered with. This is the most basic bottom line of international justice, he noted.
The third point is the importance of establishing a new vision of security, Wang said.
"Countries are increasingly becoming a community with a shared future. The practice of seeking absolute security of oneself at the expense of others will only backfire," he said.
The Chinese top diplomat said that the fourth is to understand the significance of new forms of war. Unconventional warfare, such as information warfare and cyber warfare, has become more visible in recent conflicts. Facing interwoven traditional and non-traditional security threats, it is the right time for BRICS countries to enhance dialogue and cooperation on security affairs.
China's top diplomat stresses int'l rules at BRICS meeting
