China ensured a stable power supply in the first half of this year in four aspects as the geopolitical conflicts continue to disrupt the international oil and gas supply chain, according to the spokesman for the National Development and Reform Commission.
Spokesman Jiang Yi, also director of the commission's Policy Research Office, said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday that in the first half of the year, while meeting domestic energy demands, China has also made significant contributions to the stability of the global energy market and industrial and supply chains despite the complex and severe external environment.
Jiang said it is the super-large energy system in orderly operation that sustains a sense of security in domestic power consumption.
First, on the supply side, traditional energy has provided strong support, while new energy has become an important force in power supply, Jiang said.
Second, on the demand side, the green and low-carbon transformation continued to intensify, and the energy consumption structure continued to improve. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (2012), China's energy consumption has grown by 3.3 percent year after year on average, contributing an average of around 6 percent of the annual economic growth, he said.
Third, in terms of supporting conditions, infrastructure has formed a solid support, and reform and innovation have stimulated impetus and vitality. To build up the national oil and gas network, China has built pipelines five times the length of the terrestrial equator, Jiang said.
Fourth, with regards to international cooperation, the sources of imports have been enriched, and a diversified import pattern is accelerating its formation. China has established four major energy import channels in the northwest, northeast and southwest and at sea, covering more than 100 countries and regions, he said.
Meanwhile, in the face of the sharp fluctuations in the international energy market, China has promptly introduced a series of temporary measures to regulate the prices of refined oil products, Jiang said.
For example, when international oil prices rose sharply in March, the increase in refined oil prices for two consecutive rounds was only about 50 percent of the mechanism-based increase, effectively reducing the social oil cost and minimizing the impact of the international oil price changes on the real economy and the production and life of residents, he said.
China ensures power supply in H1 in four aspects amid int'l disruptions: spokesman
Exploring the Chinese capital by bike and on foot, American vlogger Cooley Gavin Andrew embraced Beijing's unique daily rhythm, uncovering a city where timekeeping tradition and modern living melt into one another seamlessly.
The young man started his morning near the Drum and Bell Towers, a historical landmark that once served as the city's official timekeeping center some eight centuries ago. Near the site, he enjoyed a traditional local breakfast at Yaoji Chaogan, which specializes in chaogan -- a popular Beijing stew of pork liver and intestines -- to mark the true start of a Beijing day.
"This is the chaogan. As many things that I've had in Beijing, I've actually never had this before, so I'm pretty excited. The consistency looks a little bit interesting, you know, very gooey and like slimy looking. But I'm interested to try it, so let's see. It's really good. Very garlicky, but still meaty. Very rich in flavor, too," Andrew said, tasting the meal.
Throughout the morning, he listened to the ancient drums and gazed down at the Beijing Central Axis. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, the 7.8-kilometer north-south axis comprises 15 heritage elements and has anchored Beijing's center for over 700 years.
"From up here, you can see that Beijing didn't grow randomly. The Drum Tower is located at the north end of old Beijing. And the central axis line that runs all along here goes from south to north, connecting the city's layout and order," Andrew said.
He then had coffee on a terrace overlooking the hutongs and Shichahai, gaining a glimpse into the traditional Beijing way of life. He also sampled delicate, imperial-style pastries at Fuhuazhai, a restaurant founded by Wang Xifu, the grandson of a Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) imperial chef.
In his taste test at Fuhuazhai, Andrew sampled two traditional Chinese snacks. The first item, despite its name "ox tongue," contains no meat but consists of crushed peanuts and sesame seeds shaped to resemble the organ. He noted the pastry delivered an unexpectedly savory and salty flavor profile with a notably flaky texture, rather than the anticipated sweetness. He expressed even greater surprise at the second item, "watermelon cheese," which the vlogger described as a refreshing watermelon-flavored jelly.
In the afternoon, the tour moved to Longfusi, a nearly 600-year-old temple in Beijing's Dongcheng District that once hosted one of the city's most important temple fairs. Today, its ceiling features a striking 3D-printed design.
Andrew then sampled a range of classic Beijing bakery offerings, including traditional souvenir pastries from the renowned Daoxiangcun.
He wrapped up the day-long journey at the Drum Tower's courtyard, where he enjoyed an outdoor movie in the evening.
"So if you come to Beijing, don't just rush around landmark to landmark. Take it slow, ride a bike. You never know what you'll find," Andrew said.
American vlogger explores Beijing's unique rhythm in one day
