China leads the world in direct utilization of geothermal energy, with its geothermal heating and cooling area reaching 1.65 billion square meters, according to the China Geological Survey (CGS) on Sunday.
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030), the country will focus on three geothermal regions -- north China, northeast China and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, as well as four geothermal belts including the southeastern coastal area, to identify target zones for exploration and development, the CGS said.
Geothermal energy is a stable, low-carbon renewable resource with substantial reserves and high efficiency. China has long maintained the world's leading position in the scale of direct geothermal energy utilization.
China leads world in direct utilization of geothermal energy
Hundreds of paddleboarders made a splash as they raced along a river in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality for the latest round of the 2026 China National Stand-up Paddle Boarding (SUP) U Series.
The two-day gathering was held in Chongqing's suburban Qijiang District from Oct. 24-25 and welcomed around 800 athletes to compete in a host of events.
This marked the third year in a row that Qijiang has hosted a leg of the flagship water sports event, with this year's edition also seeing kayaking and open water swimming added for the first time.
The demanding program of events saw the staging of 200-meter kayak sprints and 1,500-meter open water races, while the different age grades spanned youth categories from under-9s to under-18s, as well as open and masters' groups for more seasoned participants.
Hundreds of water sports enthusiasts race along river in Chongqing
