China's raw coal output plunges in July as green transition accelerates

China's raw coal production plunged in July this year as the country is boosting clean energy supply with faster green transition.

Data from the China National Coal Association (CNCA) showed that in July, China's coal production of enterprises above the designated size stood at 340 million tonnes, down 10.1 percent year on year, with average daily output of 11.07 million tonnes.

From January to July, 2.7 billion tonnes of raw coal was produced in the country, down 2.9 percent year on year, said the association.

Meanwhile, the development of various types of clean energy in the country is accelerating, with hydropower steadily contributing to the grid, new energy installations such as wind and photovoltaic power continuing to expand, the energy production structure continuously optimized, and the power generation from various clean energy sources steadily increasing, effectively ensuring the electricity demand of the whole society. The results of the green energy transition continue to show.

Official data showed that at the end of July, China's installed PV power capacity reached 1.286 billion kilowatts, edging past coal-fired power capacity of 1.285 billion kilowatts.

China aims to establish a modern coal industry system by 2030 as the country seeks to balance energy security with green transition, according to a development plan released last month.

The plan, released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration, said China will accelerate the optimization and upgrading of its coal industry structure during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) as the country's coal consumption is expected to peak.

China's raw coal output plunges in July as green transition accelerates

Snow leopard, a vulnerable species rarely seen in the wild, has been captured for the first time in Zoige Wetland National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The reserve's administration retrieved infrared camera equipment in early September and found clear footage of the elusive big cat recorded in June.

The systematic infrared camera monitoring program was launched in March this year, with devices deployed across the reserve to track wildlife activity.

In addition to the snow leopard, the cameras also documented a range of other wild species, including blue sheep, Tibetan gazelles, wolves, Himalayan vultures, Himalayan marmots, and woolly hare, a sign of improved biodiversity and healthier ecosystem in the region thanks to conservation efforts over years.

Elusive snow leopard captured on camera for first time in Sichuan wetland reserve