China's energy needs, coal transfers and the ports sector

Much rests on ports in China, for to them is attached the burden of proving the soundness of relying on interior coalfields for energy supply. Shortcomings on their part are likely to plunge China into an energy crisis, to say nothing of setting back efforts aimed at overcoming regional disparities. Sweeping statements of this kind invite justification, and that is the object of the paper. Beginning with an overview of the country's sharp regional divisions, the paper goes on to show how the mismatch in energy supply and demand makes insistent the development of Shanxi province as a coal producer, promising, in the process, the amelioration of regional disparities. Realisation of that promise is dependent on rail-port infrastructure, the configuration of which is explored in detail. The port of Rizhao, a terminus of the rail-port system, is selected for particular attention. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.