China's Coal Industry Positioned as Stopgap Amid Global Oil Shock and Looming Recession

An opinion piece published by the South China Morning Post argues that China's coal-fired power plants, described as quick and efficient, could serve as a stopgap solution for a world facing an oil shock. The article warns that the global economy is likely to enter a recession next year, while war across the Middle East is expected to escalate and disrupt energy supplies for many years. At the same time, the artificial intelligence (AI) bubble is ripe to burst. These converging crises, according to the piece, would create an energy leadership opportunity for China. The country's coal chemical sector is also highlighted as offering substitutes for oil products. No specific dates, individuals, or institutions are named beyond the general references to China and the Middle East.