On March 5, the People’s Government of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region officially issued the “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,” clearly listing hydrogen energy storage, rare earth new materials, and green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol as strategic priorities, accelerating the development of the entire industry chain for green hydrogen, and building a nationally important high ground for the energy storage industry, thereby charting a clear path for energy transition and industrial upgrading. I. Hydrogen Energy Storage: Building the Entire Industry Chain and Sprinting Toward an Energy Storage Scale of 60 million kW The Outline proposed to expand and strengthen the hydrogen energy storage industry , with the core goals and measures as follows: Full-chain deployment of green hydrogen : Accelerate the development of the entire industry chain for green hydrogen—“ production, storage, transportation, and use ”—and build green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol industry clusters; advance cross-provincial and cross-regional long-distance hydrogen-ammonia-methanol pipeline projects, and moderately make forward-looking arrangements for green hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure. Leap in energy storage scale : Advance pumped-storage hydropower in stages, implement a special action for the large-scale development of new-type energy storage, and build a diversified energy storage system; by the end of the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, new-type ESS installations are expected to reach 60 million kW , and demand-side response capability is expected to exceed 5 of the region’s maximum load. Coordinated pipeline network upgrade : Optimize the oil and gas pipeline network; by the end of the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, natural gas pipeline mileage is expected to exceed 8,000 km , while the green hydrogen storage and transportation network will be improved in parallel. II. Rare Earth Industry: Extending, Supplementing, and Strengthening the Industry Chain, with a Focus on High-End Materials Such as Hydrogen Storage The Outline made clear to accelerate extending, supplementing, and strengthening the industry chain for the light rare earth industry , with a focus on developing: high-performance magnetic materials, high-performance polishing materials, hydrogen storage materials , catalytic materials and additives, rare earth steel, and other high-end rare earth new materials and end-use applications industries. Leveraging its advantages in rare earth resources, it will provide critical material support for industries such as hydrogen energy and new energy, and build a nationally leading base for rare earth new materials. III. Scientific and Technological Innovation: Focusing on Advantageous Fields Such as Green Hydrogen-Ammonia-Methanol The Outline proposed to implement a number of major science and technology tasks , focusing on fields including: new energy, rare earth new materials, carbon-based new materials, semiconductor new materials, green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol , biopharmaceuticals, biological breeding, and grassland and dairy industries, among others. It will deliver more landmark original achievements, providing technological support for the green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol industries. IV. Significance of the Plan: Anchoring National Strategy and Leading the Energy Transition This plan closely integrates hydrogen energy, energy storage, rare earths, and green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol. It is not only a key measure to implement the country’s “dual carbon” goals, but also a core lever for Inner Mongolia to leverage its two major strengths in wind and solar power resources and rare earth resources and build a nationally important base for energy and strategic resources. As a number of wind and solar power-based hydrogen production projects, such as the Huadian Darhan Muminggan Banner project, advance, Inner Mongolia is accelerating its transformation from a major energy region into a leading green hydrogen region and an energy storage hub .

The Government Work Report stated that over the past year, China’s development moved toward the new and the better, demonstrating vigorous vitality. New quality productive forces developed steadily, with abundant achievements in scientific and technological innovation; the R&D and application of artificial intelligence, biomedicine, robotics, quantum technology, and other fields were at the global forefront. New breakthroughs were made in independent chip R&D; Tianwen-2 embarked on its “star-chasing” journey; the large-scale application of BeiDou was comprehensively expanded; construction began on the hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River; the first domestically built electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier, the Fujian, was officially commissioned; and domestically developed large models led the global open-source ecosystem. The industrial structure continued to be optimized: the value added of high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing grew by 9.4 and 9.2, respectively; the production of industrial robots and integrated circuits increased by 28 and 10.9, respectively; annual NEV production exceeded 16 million units; and EV charging facilities surpassed 20 million. Energy consumption per unit of GDP fell by 5.1, and ecological and environmental quality continued to improve.

The Information Office of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Government held the first press conference in a series themed "Implementing the '1571' Work Plan to Promote High-Quality Development in Inner Mongolia." In 2026, Inner Mongolia will emphasize adapting measures to local conditions, promoting the deep integration of industrial innovation and scientific and technological innovation. In terms of innovation-driven development, the region will focus on five key tasks: increasing investment in science and technology, tackling major challenges, building innovation platforms, strengthening innovation entities, and integrating the development of education, science and technology, and talent.

Officials from Sichuan Liwu Copper Industry Co., Ltd. visited Sichuan Gold Group for discussions and signed a strategic cooperation agreement. According to the agreement, the two sides will engage in in-depth cooperation in key areas such as mineral resource acquisition, exploration and development, mining technical services, scientific and technological innovation, and talent exchange. By integrating their respective advantages in capital, technology, management, and resources, they aim to achieve a powerful synergy between "gold" and "copper," jointly enhance the comprehensive development efficiency of regional mineral resources, and work together to set a new benchmark for win-win cooperation among state-owned mining enterprises in Sichuan.

SMM Nickel February 10 News: Macro and Market News: (1) On the morning of the 9th, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the National Information Innovation Park in Beijing Yizhuang to learn about the application innovation of information technology and Beijing's accelerated construction of an international science and technology innovation center, inspected representative scientific and technological innovation achievements, and cordially exchanged with representatives of scientific researchers and heads of technology enterprises. (2) In terms of further supporting the innovative development of high-quality listed companies, the Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing Stock Exchanges clarified that for high-quality listed companies with standardized operation, governance, and information disclosure, representativeness, and market recognition, the refinancing review process will be optimized to further improve refinancing efficiency. Spot Market: On February 10, the SMM #1 refined nickel price range was 133,400-144,500 yuan/mt, with an average price of 138,950 yuan/mt, down 500 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The mainstream spot premium quotation range for Jinchuan #1 refined nickel was 9,500-10,200 yuan/mt, with an average premium of 9,850 yuan/mt, up 350 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. The spot premium/discount quotation range for mainstream domestic brands of electrodeposited nickel was -400-400 yuan/mt. Futures Market: The most-traded SHFE nickel contract (2603) fluctuated and trended lower during the session, closing the morning session at 133,300 yuan/mt, down 0.21%. As the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, market trading tends to be sluggish, with futures prices mainly fluctuating, while spot prices are weak due to stagnant actual demand. After the holiday, attention should be paid to the actual implementation of Indonesia's nickel ore quota policy.

On January 29, 2026, Lyu Zexiang, Overseas Operations Director of China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), held talks with Nabil R. Al-Khowaiter, Senior Vice President of Saudi Aramco, in Beijing. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions and reached consensus on deepening exchanges in scientific and technological innovation, as well as expanding cooperation in the fields of new energy, seawater desalination, new-type energy storage, and integrated green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. This meeting not only represents a practical measure for China-Saudi Arabia energy cooperation but also aligns with the strategic deployment of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to "make forward-looking arrangements for future industries such as hydrogen energy." Lyu Zexiang welcomed Nabil R. Al-Khowaiter and his delegation, introducing CEEC's advantages across the entire industry chain in the energy and power sector and its performance in the Middle East market. He stated that the two sides share highly aligned concepts regarding green transformation cooperation. He expressed hope to establish a regular communication mechanism, strengthen technology and information sharing, and jointly expand cooperation in areas such as new energy, cogeneration, seawater desalination, and green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, thereby contributing to global energy transition. Nabil R. Al-Khowaiter appreciated CEEC's comprehensive strength and international performance, noting that Saudi Aramco is advancing the diversification of its energy structure and will focus on investing in new energy and other related projects in the future. He stated that CEEC is a trustworthy partner and looked forward to both sides leveraging their respective advantages, innovating cooperation models, deepening multi-field collaboration, and jointly promoting global green and low-carbon development. The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee had previously identified hydrogen energy and related fields as new economic growth points for the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, providing direction for international energy cooperation. The current focus on cooperation in areas such as green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol not only represents a concrete practice in response to the national layout for future industries but will also inject momentum into deepening China-Saudi Arabia energy cooperation and advancing the global energy transition. Participants in the talks included Jamal A. Al-Azizi, Director of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Saudi Aramco Asia Company; Xin Zongyi, Vice President of CEEC International Group; and relevant officials from both sides.