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
Demonstrators from civil groups, labor unions and other communities in South Africa rallied outside the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg on Friday, denouncing U.S. unilateral military actions against Venezuela and voicing solidarity with the Latin American nation.
They gathered along the street in front of the consulate, carrying banners that read "Hands Off Venezuela" and "Stop Imperialism," chanting slogans against U.S. hegemony and aggression.
"We are here to protest the U.S. threats to global peace, the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro Moros of Venezuela, which was done in violation of international law, in violation of territorial integrity of Venezuela, of course, in violation of national sovereignty of Venezuela," said Solly Afrika Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party.
In the early hours of Jan. 3, the United States carried out a military strike against Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, taking them to the United States.
Some protesters said the crisis in Venezuela shows how geopolitical struggles have direct and immediate effects on ordinary people's lives.
"Venezuela belongs to the people of Venezuela and nobody else. For American belligerent and colonial aggression, quite frankly, is not just something very distant. Never before have questions of geopolitics been of immediate and direct relevance and direct and immediate impacts on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people, as you are seeing today," said Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA).
Placards at the rally blended English and Spanish slogans, while some demonstrators sang liberation songs from South Africa's anti-apartheid era to express solidarity. Passing motorists slowed in front of the consulate, honking in support.
Defying the summer heat, the crowd remained spirited and resolute, their chants echoing along the street in a clear call for an end to foreign interference and respect for Venezuela's sovereignty.
South Africans rally in solidarity with Venezuela against U.S. aggression
South Africans rally in solidarity with Venezuela against U.S. aggression
South Africans rally in solidarity with Venezuela against U.S. aggression
