Shou Xiaoli:

The last question.

Nanfang Metropolis Daily:

After October, various regions will gradually enter winter's peak season for electricity, heating and gas usage. How can you ensure security with energy supplies and the stabilization of prices for essential commodities this winter? Thank you.

Zheng Shanjie:

Thank you, this is indeed a matter of great concern for the public. Every year we take measures to respond to summer and winter peaks. I would like to invite Mr. Li to address this question.

Li Chunlin:

I am pleased to address this question. As Mr. Zheng mentioned, this issue affects every household. With the National Day holiday just over and deep autumn approaching, the northern regions will gradually enter the heating season, followed by the New Year and Spring Festival. The meeting of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee on Sept. 26 has already planned for this work. Let me briefly respond to these two issues.

First is about energy security. The NDRC, in conjunction with relevant parties, has made a series of early arrangements. Overall, the foundation for energy supply security is quite solid. In terms of coal, national coal production has remained stable with coal inventory in regulated power plants exceeding 200 million metric tons, which is enough for over 30 days on average, a historical high for the same period. The northeastern regions have ample coal reserves for winter. Regarding electricity, as of the end of August, the national installed power generation capacity reached 3.13 billion kilowatts. Despite increased uncertainty in power supply due to the high proportion of renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, wind power and photovoltaic power, which now account for more than half of the total installed capacity, we can achieve stable and reliable power supply through enhanced intelligent dispatching and improved cross-provincial and cross-regional mutual aid levels. For natural gas, resource supplies are sufficient with peak-shaving and gas storage capacity increased by eight billion cubic meters year on year, ensuring that storage targets are met before winter.

Next, the NDRC will continue to strengthen monitoring and analysis, enforce responsibilities across all parties and make every effort to ensure a stable energy supply. First, we will increase the production and supply of resources such as coal and natural gas, ensure that all types of power generation units operate at full capacity and promote the efficient utilization of new energy sources. Second, we will focus on increasing reserves of thermal coal and natural gas, enhance cross-provincial and cross-regional power dispatching and improve the precision of energy storage deployment to boost peak support capabilities. Third, we will prioritize energy use for people's livelihoods, minimizing the impact of extreme weather and other emergencies on normal production and daily life. During the past summer, due to extreme heat and other factors, the national maximum power load and daily maximum electricity consumption reached historic highs of 1.451 billion kilowatts and 32.5 billion kilowatt-hours, respectively, exceeding the 2023 peak by 106 million kilowatts and 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours. Despite these challenges, China maintained a stable and orderly energy supply. Even when typhoons and flooding caused temporary power outages in certain areas, repairs were organized immediately to restore power promptly. With the concerted efforts of all parties, the energy supply for this winter's heating season can be effectively guaranteed, providing strong support for the continued economic recovery and ensuring that people stay warm during the winter months.

Second is about ensuring the supply and stabilizing the prices of essential commodities for people's livelihoods. Currently, the market supply of essential commodities nationwide is abundant, and operations are stable. Summer grain production has increased, and a good harvest for autumn grain is anticipated. Hog production is at a reasonable level, and the inventory of egg-laying hens and other livestock remains high. The acreage of vegetables in fields has increased. Additionally, reserves of grain and cooking oil in 36 large and medium-sized cities can meet consumption needs for more than 15 days; the capacity to regulate pork reserves is continuously improving; and the reserves of winter and spring vegetables in large northern cities are steadily being strengthened, providing a solid foundation for ensuring supply and stabilizing prices. Recently, in response to increased consumption during the National Day holiday, many regions initiated reasonably-priced sales to benefit the public, increasing the supply of affordable vegetables and other goods to ensure sufficient market supply and stable prices. 

Next, our commission will closely monitor market dynamics and, in conjunction with relevant parties, take proactive measures tailored to the winter, New Year and Spring Festival periods. We will focus on autumn and winter agricultural production, enforce local reserve responsibilities, strengthen the connection between production and sales, ensure smooth logistics and transportation, timely release supplies, enhance market supervision and improve contingency plans. These efforts aim to effectively guarantee the market supply of essential commodities for people's livelihoods and create a favorable environment for the effective implementation of incremental policies. 

Thank you!

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Zheng, thank you to all the speakers and thank you to all the journalists for your participation. This concludes today's press conference. Goodbye, everyone.

Translated and edited by Zhou Jing, Liu Sitong, Zhang Rui, Huang Shan, Wang Xingguang, Li Xiao, Ma Yujia, Gong Yingchun, Wang Qian, Zhang Tingting, Chen Xinyan, Li Huiru, Yang Chuanli, Yuan Fang, David Ball, Rochelle Beiersdorfer, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.