SMM May 16 News: Metals market: Overnight, metals across both domestic and overseas markets fell collectively, with most declining over 1%. LME tin led the decline with a 4.03% drop, LME copper fell 3.15%, LME aluminum and SHFE tin dropped over 2% (LME aluminum down 2.36%, SHFE tin down 2.84%). LME lead, LME zinc, LME nickel, SHFE copper, and SHFE nickel all fell over 1% (LME lead down 1.39%, LME zinc down 1.35%, LME nickel down 1.9%, SHFE copper down 1.29%, SHFE nickel down 1.3%). SHFE lead and SHFE zinc fell less than 1% (SHFE lead down 0.6%, SHFE zinc down 0.44%). The alumina front-month contract fell 1.19%, and the casting aluminum front-month contract fell 0.99%. Overnight, ferrous metals generally declined. Stainless steel fell 0.94%, and iron ore fell 0.8%. Hot-rolled coil and rebar dropped over 0.6% (hot-rolled coil down 0.63%, rebar down 0.62%). Coking coal and coke: coking coal fell 0.49%, coke fell 1.32%. Overnight, precious metals: COMEX gold fell 3.02% overnight, down 3.96% on the week; COMEX silver plunged 10.59%, down 5.65% on the week. In China, SHFE gold fell 1.13%, down 3.37% on the week; SHFE silver fell 6.79%, down 3.26% on the week. This was mainly pressured by rising US Treasury yields and a strengthening US dollar index, while the escalating US-Iran conflict intensified inflation concerns, further reinforcing market expectations of interest rate hikes. As of 8:24 AM on May 16, overnight closing prices: Macro front Wang Yi briefed the media on the China-US summit and the consensus reached. Wang Yi stated that the two heads of state interacted for nearly 9 hours and agreed that building a "China-US constructive strategic and stable relationship" was the most important political consensus. At the invitation of President Trump, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the US this autumn. The economic and trade teams of both countries reached overall balanced and positive outcomes, including continuing to implement all consensus from previous negotiations, agreeing to establish a Trade Council and an Investment Council, addressing each other's concerns on agricultural product market access, and promoting the expansion of two-way trade under a reciprocal tariff reduction framework. China: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided consolidated responses on China-US economic and trade issues including semiconductors, rare earths, Boeing, and oil purchases. On May 15, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun hosted a regular press conference, providing consolidated responses on China-US economic and trade issues. Regarding rare earth supply, China is committed to maintaining the stability of global supply chains. Regarding purchases of US oil and Boeing aircraft, China expressed willingness to jointly safeguard energy security and supply chain stability, emphasizing the mutually beneficial nature of China-US economic and trade relations. Qiushi Journal published an important article by General Secretary Xi Jinping titled "Making the Real Economy Stronger, Better, and Bigger." The article pointed out that manufacturing is the foundation of the real economy, and that high-quality development of manufacturing should be given a more prominent position, with unwavering commitment to building a manufacturing powerhouse. It called for implementing industrial foundation re-engineering projects and major technical equipment breakthrough projects, supporting the development of specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative enterprises, and promoting high-end, intelligent, and green development of manufacturing. It also called for promoting the integrated cluster development of strategic emerging industries, and building a batch of new growth engines in areas such as next-generation information technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, new energy, new materials, high-end equipment, and green environmental protection. US dollar: As of overnight close, the US dollar index rose 0.41% to 99.28, up 1.45% on the week. Rising energy prices and prolonged shipping disruptions intensified inflationary pressures, pushing up market expectations that the US Fed will raise interest rates this year. US interest rate futures prices fell sharply on Friday, reflecting growing conviction among bond market investors that elevated inflation will force the US Fed to raise interest rates later this year or in early 2027. According to the CME FedWatch tool, the market now prices in approximately a 60% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike by the January FOMC meeting, with a 50% probability of a rate hike in December. US April retail sales grew further, but part of the increase may have come from rising inflation, as the Iran conflict pushed up energy and other commodity prices. Data released Thursday showed April retail sales rose 0.5%, in line with market expectations, while the March increase was revised down to 1.6%. The Iran conflict is driving up inflation; US Energy Information Administration data showed gasoline prices rose 12.3% in April. Despite surging oil prices, spending has not yet noticeably shifted away from other areas, thanks to larger tax refund amounts this year. IRS data showed that as of April 25, the average refund increased by $323 compared to the same period in 2025. However, this support is fading. Economists at PNC Financial Services Group stated, based on internal data analysis, that "consumers are spending their tax refunds faster than last year, especially among lower-income households," adding that "the amount of refund money being used to pay off credit card and other debts is also declining." (Jin10 Data APP) The Fed Board of Governors said in a statement on Friday that it had appointed Jerome Powell as chair pro tempore until his successor Kevin Warsh is officially sworn in. The US Fed stated: "This interim step of appointing the current chair as chair pro tempore is consistent with the practice followed during previous chair transitions." In response, Fed Governors Bowman and Milan stated that they did not support the interim appointment. On May 15, Powell's term as Fed Chairman expired. (Wallstreetcn) Analysts at BofA Global Research: If strong global economic growth prevents the US Fed from cutting interest rates, emerging markets could perform well. However, under scenarios of asymmetric growth (favoring the US) or a global stagflation shock, emerging markets would be more vulnerable. On the currency front, even though the election trigger is still months away, commodity outlook and monetary policy should continue to provide support for the Brazilian real. (Wallstreetcn) Data: Next week, China will release data including China's April total retail sales of consumer goods YoY, China's April industrial value added of enterprises above designated size YoY, China's 1-year Loan Prime Rate as of May 20, and China's April Swift RMB share in global payments. The US will release data including US initial jobless claims for the week ending May 16, US ADP employment weekly change for the week ending May 2, US April pending home sales index MoM, US April housing starts annualized, US April building permits, US May Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index, US continuing jobless claims for the week ending May 9, US May S&P Global Manufacturing PMI preliminary, US May S&P Global Services PMI preliminary, US May University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index final, US May NAHB Housing Market Index, US May 1-year inflation expectations final, and US April Conference Board Leading Index MoM. The UK will release data including UK March 3-month ILO unemployment rate, UK April unemployment rate, UK April claimant count, UK April CPI MoM, UK April Retail Price Index MoM, UK May Manufacturing PMI preliminary, UK May Services PMI preliminary, UK May CBI Industrial Orders balance, UK May GfK Consumer Confidence Index, UK April public sector net borrowing, and UK April seasonally adjusted retail sales MoM. Germany will release data including Germany April PPI MoM, Germany May Manufacturing PMI preliminary, Germany June GfK Consumer Confidence Index, Germany Q1 non-seasonally adjusted GDP annual rate final, and Germany May IFO Business Climate Index. The Eurozone will release data including Eurozone March seasonally adjusted trade balance, Eurozone April CPI annual rate final, Eurozone April CPI MoM final, Eurozone May Manufacturing PMI preliminary, Eurozone March seasonally adjusted current account, and Eurozone May Consumer Confidence Index preliminary. Canada will release data including Canada April CPI MoM and Canada March retail sales MoM. Japan April core CPI annual rate, France May Manufacturing PMI preliminary, and Australia April seasonally adjusted unemployment rate will also be released. In addition, in China, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) will release the monthly report on residential sales prices in 70 large and medium-sized cities, the State Council Information Office will hold a press conference on the national economic performance, and a new round of domestic refined oil price adjustment window will open. At 2:00 AM on May 21, the US Fed will release the minutes of its monetary policy meeting. The Reserve Bank of Australia will release the minutes of its May monetary policy meeting. ECB Chief Economist Lane and Fed Governor Waller will speak at an ECB research conference. 2026 FOMC voter and Philadelphia Fed President Paulsen will deliver a speech. Crude oil: As of overnight close, the US-Iran standoff over Strait of Hormuz passage showed no signs of a breakthrough, and both benchmarks rose. WTI rose 4.44%, and Brent rose 3.55%. On the week, WTI rose 10.73%, and Brent rose 8.08%. As the Iran conflict has cut off energy supplies from the Persian Gulf, US refiners are ramping up fuel production to fill supply gaps in gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Analysts said this rapid growth trend is expected to push many refineries to their effective maximum capacity for at least the remainder of 2026. Reduced spare crude oil supply in Europe and other regions, combined with the difficulty of restoring post-conflict infrastructure in the Middle East in the short term, is driving up crude oil refining margins. Analysts said this rapid growth trend is expected to push many refineries to their effective maximum capacity for at least the remainder of 2026. US Energy Information Administration data showed that the so-called "capacity utilization rate" has climbed for three consecutive weeks and is now approaching 92%. In recent weeks, gasoline production hit a nine-month high, while jet fuel production reached its highest level since the summer of 2024. (Jin10 Data APP) US Energy Secretary Wright said at an event in Sabine Pass, Texas on Friday that the US will replenish every barrel of crude oil released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). He said: "We are releasing oil now, and for every barrel released, we will put back at least 1.2 barrels into the reserve. Ultimately, we will make the reserve larger than when we started." (Jin10 Data APP) According to US media reports, the Trump administration plans to streamline the permitting process for oil projects within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska to boost crude oil production in the US Arctic region. The Interior Department's move aims to establish a new permitting framework for the construction and operation of oil production facilities and related infrastructure. Under the plan, eligible projects could receive analysis and authorization more quickly, potentially within just 30 days. This initiative could benefit companies such as ConocoPhillips, Santos, and Repsol, which hold leases within the reserve, and accelerate government review of projects such as ConocoPhillips' Willow project, which had drawn strong opposition from climate activists. During the Iran conflict, with approximately 20% of global supply trapped in the Persian Gulf, the Trump administration has stepped up calls for US oil companies to increase production. (Jin10 Data APP) US import and export prices surged in April, posting the largest increase in over four years, driven by oil market pressures related to the Iran conflict, further signaling rising inflation in the world's largest economy. Data released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the import price index rose 1.9% MoM, the largest increase since March 2022, with petroleum costs surging 19%. Export prices rose 3.3% MoM, also the largest increase in over four years. (Wallstreetcn)

[SMM Tin Morning Brief: The Most-Traded SHFE Tin Contract Fluctuated and Pulled Back, Spot Market Trading Remained Sluggish]

According to PBoC data, at the end of April, the balance of broad money (M2) stood at 353.04 trillion yuan, up 8.6% YoY. The balance of narrow money (M1) was 114.58 trillion yuan, up 5% YoY. The balance of currency in circulation (M0) was 14.75 trillion yuan, up 12.2% YoY. Net cash injection in the first four months totaled 653 billion yuan.

[SMM Analysis] After Sulfur Breaks Through $1,200: How Far Is the Ceiling? — The Ultimate Game Under International Supply Disruptions, Discussing China's Sulfur Policies and International Supplementary Supply Pathways

[General Motors Launches IT Department Overhaul, Laying Off Hundreds of White-Collar Employees] General Motors plans to cut hundreds of salaried white-collar employees in its information technology department to reduce costs and make room for talent with skills in other technology areas. People familiar with the matter revealed that the layoffs affected approximately "500 to 600" people, adding that company management began issuing notices to affected employees on the morning of May 11. In response to an inquiry from Bloomberg News, General Motors confirmed that it was carrying out layoffs in some positions. In a statement, General Motors said the layoffs stemmed from a transformation and restructuring of its information technology department, aimed at optimizing the company's overall strategic positioning for the future.

On May 9, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently issued a notice officially launching the Artificial Intelligence Science and Technology Ethics Review and Service Pilot Plan. Leveraging provinces hosting National Artificial Intelligence Industry Innovation and Application Pilot Zones, the initiative will take the lead in exploring implementation pathways for AI science and technology ethics review and services, improve multi-party participation and collaborative and efficient governance mechanisms, and support responsible AI innovation and high-quality industrial development. Recently, the Shandong-Jiangsu Back-to-Back Interconnection Project was officially approved by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

On May 9, recent market reports indicated that regulatory authorities had taken notice of widespread complaints triggered by automakers locking battery capacity. Eight automakers were reportedly summoned for regulatory talks, three were placed under investigation for violations, and two withdrew controversial upgrade packages and pledged to restore performance. Subsequently, artificial intelligence (AI)-related information circulating online listed the names of eight automakers. When seeking confirmation today from BYD, Tesla, XPeng, Li Auto, NIO, Seres AITO, Geely Zeekr, and GAC Aion, BYD, Tesla, XPeng, Li Auto, and GAC Aion explicitly denied the claims.

In accordance with the *Notice of the National Energy Administration on Matters Related to the Development and Construction of Wind Power and Photovoltaic Power Generation in 2021* (Guo Neng Fa Xin Neng [2021] No. 25), in order to guide rational investment and orderly construction in the new energy sector, the new energy grid connection and consumption status of each provincial-level region for March 2026 is hereby published as follows.

Capacity side, according to incomplete statistics, China's alkaline electrolyzer market remained at 43.77 GW, and the PEM electrolyzer market remained at 2.7 GW. This week, no offline public delivery data was available. Project-related updates: Heilongjiang Jiayirongyuan Green Chemical Co., Ltd.: China Chemistry Tianchen Company signed an EPC general contracting contract with Heilongjiang Jiayirongyuan Green Chemical Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Jiaze New Energy, for the 300,000 mt green hydrogen-methanol-aviation fuel chemical co-production project in Jidong County, Jixi City, Heilongjiang Province. The project has a total investment of approximately 3.557 billion yuan and is a key project under the national "dual carbon" strategy. Using agricultural and forestry waste as raw material and adopting biomass gasification and cellulose fermentation technologies, the project plans to produce 240,000 mt of green methanol and 80,000 mt of green ethanol annually, with flexible switching to 50,000 mt/year of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The project plans to commence production by the end of 2027, consuming over 1.5 million mt of agricultural and forestry waste annually. Shandong Expressway Service Development Group Co., Ltd.: The PEM electrolysis hydrogen production and energy storage section of the Phase II comprehensive utilization project at Gaomi Service Area Hydrogen Refueling Station released its bid-winning announcement, with Guofu Hydrogen Energy winning the bid at 21.2724 million yuan. The project is part of the Ministry of Science and Technology's "Hydrogen into Homes" demonstration program, undertaken by Shandong Expressway Service Development Group, and is located in the south area of Gaomi Service Area, aiming to build an integrated demonstration station for PV hydrogen production and hydrogen refueling. The project comprises three segments: alkaline hydrogen production, PEM hydrogen production and energy storage, and hydrogen refueling station. Currently, the alkaline hydrogen production section has been completed, and the hydrogen refueling station is under construction. The PEM hydrogen production capacity in this phase is 100 Nm³/h with a rated power of 200 kW, equipped with electrolysis skids, compressors, hydrogen storage cylinder groups, and control systems. The designed construction period is 120 days, and the project will improve the green electricity hydrogen production and energy storage facilities at the expressway service area, supporting the construction of zero-carbon hydrogen expressways. Mingtuo (Inner Mongolia) Comprehensive Resource Utilization Co., Ltd.: The e-SAF (electro-sustainable aviation fuel) project officially received filing approval. The project is located in Jiuyuan Industrial Park, Baotou City, on an industrial planning plot north of Mingtuo Chromium Industry's plant and west of Hengtai Road, with a total investment of 1.8 billion yuan. The plan is to build a 150,000 mt/year electro-sustainable aviation fuel production line, along with supporting facilities including gas pretreatment, synthesis, hydrorefining, fractionation, tank farms, pump stations, and related auxiliary facilities. The project plans to start construction in April 2027 and be completed and put into operation in April 2029. Xinjiang Shengxiong Energy Co., Ltd.: The EPC project for the 5,000 Nm³/h waste coal gas green hydrogen extraction and comprehensive utilization by Xinjiang Shengxiong Energy has fully completed construction tasks, with the full-process commissioning successfully completed in one run, and is now officially ready for production and operation. The project adopts advanced green hydrogen extraction technology, using industrial waste coal gas as raw material to achieve efficient resource conversion of tail gas and produce high-purity clean hydrogen energy. After commissioning, it can extend the coal chemical industry chain, improve the utilization rate of industrial by-product resources, reduce pollutant emissions, and provide a stable hydrogen source for the enterprise's methanol units, achieving synergistic improvement in economic, ecological, and social benefits. Wolong Innorde (Zhejiang) Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: The company successfully won the bid for the Binyang County, Guangxi green electricity hydrogen production pilot construction project (100 Nm³/h AEM hydrogen production equipment) and has officially signed the contract, marking an important breakthrough in the company's market expansion in the green electricity hydrogen production field and laying a solid foundation for further business development in the South China region. The project was initiated by Kunpeng Water, a Guangxi local state-owned enterprise, and is the first AEM technology green electricity hydrogen production project in Guangxi. It completed filing in March 2026 and aims to leverage green electricity resources to conduct hydrogen production pilot trials, supporting regional energy structure transformation and industrial decarbonization. Wuhan Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences: China's first million-cubic-meter-level salt cavern hydrogen storage demonstration project, led by the institute, was officially put into operation in Pingdingshan City, Henan Province. The project is China's first hydrogen storage facility built in bedded salt rock formations, which explored the multi-scale migration patterns of hydrogen in ultra-low permeability rock salt, overcame the core technology of precise site and layer selection for salt cavern hydrogen storage, and effectively verified the long-term sealing performance and engineering feasibility of hydrogen storage in bedded salt rock. Baimahu Laboratory Hydrogen Energy (Changxing) Co., Ltd.: The Baimahu Laboratory Changxing Hydrogen Energy Base liquid hydrogen test platform installation and commissioning project released a tender announcement. The project is located in Meishan Town, Changxing County, Huzhou City, with a total estimated investment of 310 million yuan and a land area of 68 mu. The project budget is 55.0906 million yuan, with construction and installation costs of approximately 51.1045 million yuan, and will build testing platforms for key equipment such as liquid hydrogen valves, storage tanks, and flow meters. The tender scope covers process, electrical, automation control, and equipment installation and commissioning. The planned construction period is 210 calendar days, and consortium bidding is allowed (no more than 2 members). Xindao Hydrogen Energy Technology (Baotou) Co., Ltd.: The Guyang County 200,000 mt/year hydrogen-based green fuel (green methanol) off-grid green electricity direct-connection project officially commenced construction. Located in Jinshan Economic Development Zone, Guyang County, Baotou City, the project is Xindao Energy's first demonstration project in the hydrogen-based green fuel field, with a total investment of 5.1 billion yuan, covering 600 mu. It will be built in three phases, with full completion and commissioning planned for 2028. The energy side is configured with 390 MW off-grid wind power and 100 MW off-grid PV, coupled with biomass waste heat power generation and flywheel energy storage, building an integrated "electricity-hydrogen-carbon-methanol" system to address the challenges of off-grid green electricity fluctuations and stable operation of chemical units, achieving efficient green methanol synthesis. Shenneng Northern (Etuoke Front Banner) Energy Development Co., Ltd.: The electrolysis hydrogen production station project for the Etuoke Front Banner wind and solar power hydrogen production integrated green ammonia synthesis project completed filing. The project is located in the Energy and Chemical Zone of Shanghaimiao Economic Development Zone, Etuoke Front Banner, Ordos City, with clearly defined boundaries and a total investment of 1.3265 billion yuan. The project plans to build a water electrolysis hydrogen production station with an annual output of approximately 20,000 mt of green hydrogen, using PEM proton exchange membrane electrolyzers as the primary equipment, supplemented by ALK alkaline electrolyzers and AEM anion exchange membrane electrolyzers. This approach integrates the advantages of multiple technology pathways to adapt to the fluctuation characteristics of new energy power. Supporting facilities including gas-liquid separation, hydrogen purification, hydrogen storage, water treatment, step-down substations, and fire safety and security systems will also be constructed. After completion, the station will operate in strict compliance with renewable energy hydrogen production industry safety standards. The project plans to commence construction in December 2026 and be completed in December 2028. Goldwind Green Energy Hydrogen Technology (Xing'an League) Co., Ltd.: The Xing'an League Goldwind Science&Technology Wind Power Hydrogen Production (Phase III) Project officially obtained filing approval. Located in the Xing'an League Economic Development Zone of Inner Mongolia, the project has a total investment of 2 billion yuan. The project mainly involves the construction of hydrogen production, compression, gas storage, air separation units, and related supporting facilities, with a hydrogen production capacity of 160,000 standard cubic meters per hour. Construction plans to commence in September 2026, with completion and commissioning in September 2028. Inner Mongolia Huadian Huayang Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd. : The Inner Mongolia Huadian Damaoqi 1 million kW Wind and Solar Power Integrated Hydrogen Production Project released a tender announcement for technical services on a special study on short-circuit ratio improvement. Located in Damaoqi, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, the first phase plans to build 1 million kW of new energy installed capacity, including 700 MW of wind power and 300 MW of PV, equipped with 70 units of 10 MW wind turbines and 710-740Wp half-cell double-glass N-type PV modules. The project will also construct a 100MW/200MWh LFP battery ESS power station, two 220 kV step-up substations, and collector lines. Multiple alkaline electrolyzer hydrogen production systems are planned, with an annual green hydrogen production capacity of 47,000 mt, supported by 25 units of 2,000 m³ hydrogen gas spherical tanks with a hydrogen storage capacity of 650,000 standard cubic meters, along with a new 220 kV hydrogen production main step-down substation. The tendered services are required to be completed within 45 days from the date of contract signing. Jiangsu Lanze Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: The Dafeng District Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning released a pre-approval public notice for the Lanze Dafeng Port 300,000 mt/year green methanol project. The project is located in the Petrochemical Industrial Park of Dafeng Port Economic Development Zone, Dafeng District, Yancheng City. This public notice mainly involves minor adjustments and optimizations to the dimensions, areas, names, and heights of certain buildings and structures. Beijing Hydrogenergy Technology Co., Ltd. : The company won the bid for the PEM pure water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment procurement project of the Electric Power Research Institute of State Grid Jiangxi Electric Power Co., Ltd., responsible for equipment production, supply, transportation, and subsequent supporting services. The PEM hydrogen production unit awarded in this bid will be used to verify the response characteristics of PEM hydrogen production systems under green electricity fluctuation conditions, accumulating measured operational data for flexible load regulation of the power grid. As one of the earliest PEM hydrogen production research-type units deployed in the Jiangxi power grid system, this project will also provide important technology selection references for the subsequent construction of regional hydrogen energy storage demonstration stations. Datang Jingtai Wind Power Co., Ltd.: Datang released a tender announcement for technical services on the preparation of a feasibility study report for a wind-solar coupled off-grid hydrogen production demonstration project, located in Baiyin District, Baiyin City, Gansu Province. The project plans to build a new 21 MW wind-solar coupled hydrogen production power station, including 14 MW of wind power and 7 MW of PV, with a supporting 5MW/5MWh grid-forming ESS, along with a 12 MW hydrogen production station. The station will selectively deploy ALK, AEM, PEM, and SOEC multi-type electrolyzer equipment, with green hydrogen output required to meet the national standard for ultra-pure hydrogen. The project will also include supporting construction of hydrogen buffer tanks, compression and filling systems, as well as auxiliary facilities such as desalinated water stations, air compressor stations, and control buildings. Longyuan Power Longyuan (Zhangye) New Energy Development Co., Ltd.: The company initiated open procurement for 500 standard cubic meter PEM electrolyzer hydrogen production equipment and ancillary equipment for the Zhangye Carbon Neutrality Industrial Base Wind-Solar-Hydrogen-Storage Integration Project. Located in the Circular Economy Demonstration Park of Zhangye Economic and Technological Development Zone, Gansu Province, this is also the first green electricity hydrogen production project deployed by China Energy Investment Corporation in Gansu Province. Policy Review 1. The General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments jointly issued the Guidelines for Green Design of Industrial Products (2026 Edition). The Guidelines mention: developing green design solutions. Focusing on industries including automobiles, construction machinery, machine tools, bearings, wind power equipment, hydrogen energy equipment, PV, lithium batteries, household appliances, packaging, cleaning products, textiles, biomanufacturing, methanol, and tires, and targeting key directions of green design, the aim is to develop green design solutions that are technologically advanced, economically feasible, and supply-demand compatible, forming a batch of replicable and scalable exemplary green design solutions. The initiative will cultivate green design solution providers with high professional standards and strong service capabilities, building a virtuous ecosystem of "demand-driven—solution development—industrial application." 2. The General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions on Achieving Higher-Level and Higher-Quality Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction. The document aims to use transportation energy conservation and carbon reduction and green energy transition as two key drivers, coordinating low-carbon development with energy security, and accelerating the construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient modern energy and transportation system. Enterprise Updates Guohua Investment Mengxi Branch: China's first heavy-haul railway hydrogen refueling station, the Batuta Hydrogen Refueling Station, achieved a cumulative hydrogen refueling volume exceeding 10,000 kg, marking a milestone in the scaled application of hydrogen energy in China's heavy-haul railway sector. Located at the Hailesuhao South Station in Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, the station is a key hydrogen energy industry demonstration project of Guohua Investment, with a daily hydrogen refueling capacity of 500 kg. It primarily provides hydrogen refueling services for large power hydrogen-powered shunting locomotives and hydrogen fuel cell plus lithium battery zero-emission catenary maintenance vehicles, accumulating valuable demonstration experience for the green and low-carbon transformation of heavy-haul railways. Tianjin Zhonghe Energy Management Co., Ltd.: The world's first 5 MW anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis hydrogen production system completed installation and commenced commissioning, marking the official entry of megawatt-scale AEM technology into the industrial application stage. Beijing Mingyang Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd. : The company received written authorization from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), successfully obtaining the manufacturing license and quality certification under the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Guangzhou Yunfu Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd.: The company officially opened in Baiyun District, Guangzhou. Yang Qiang, Chairman of Yuntao Hydrogen, Ding Leizhe, Executive Vice President of Guofu Hydrogen, along with representatives from the government and partners attended the ceremony. Yunfu Hydrogen was jointly established by Guangdong Yuntao Hydrogen and Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen, focusing on R&D, integrated manufacturing, and services for core hydrogen energy equipment, with the goal of building a leading hydrogen energy equipment industrialisation hub in South China. The project has a total investment of 500 million yuan, with a Phase I workshop of approximately 1,300 m², primarily engaged in vehicle-mounted high-pressure hydrogen supply systems and core equipment integration for hydrogen refueling stations. Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy Industry Development Co., Ltd.: The company held a discussion and exchange meeting with the Shenmu Municipal Government and officially signed an investment cooperation framework agreement. At the meeting, Liu Wei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy, and Han Xiujin jointly signed the agreement. Both parties conducted in-depth exchanges on hydrogen energy industry development planning and key project cooperation, reaching a cooperation consensus. Heads of relevant departments of the Shenmu Municipal Government, as well as heads of relevant departments and subordinate units of Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy, attended the meeting. Tianjin Rongcheng Xinneng Technology Group Co., Ltd.: The company's 5 MW anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis hydrogen production system completed equipment installation and officially entered the commissioning stage. Zhejiang Sunshine Green Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd.: The company's self-developed A11 and B11-series core electrolyzer equipment successfully completed long-cycle operation verification. The series uniformly adopted a current density of 1.5 A/cm², completing dual-line endurance tests under both atmospheric pressure and 1.6 MPa high-pressure conditions, with uninterrupted stable operation exceeding 8,000 hours in both cases. Patent Applications 1. Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (China) published patent CN2025110028, developing a ceramic-based anion exchange membrane with a laboratory-tested lifespan of 80,000 hours. 2. Johnson Matthey (UK) filed patent WO2025109876, disclosing an Fe-Ni-Mo ternary non-precious metal catalyst formulation with activity approaching that of platinum-based materials. Technology Footprint/Technical Specifications 1. Two group standards on water electrolysis hydrogen production were officially released and implemented, namely the Safety Technical Specification for Water Electrolysis Hydrogen Production and the Calculation Method for Economic Operation Indicators of Water Electrolysis Hydrogen Production. 2. Petronor and H2SITE collaborated to advance membrane technology for hydrogen production, improving high-purity hydrogen and low-carbon efficiency in refining. 3. Dalian University of Technology designed an electron pump catalyst with an asymmetric photo-responsive structure, maintaining the asymmetry of electron distribution. 4. A research team from the School of Electrical Engineering and the State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment at Xi'an Jiaotong University successfully developed a Ru/Ti₃C₂Oₓ@NF bifunctional electrocatalyst for seawater electrolysis. 5. The team led by Professor Yu Ying at Central China Normal University developed a three-dimensional hierarchical nanostructured catalytic electrode as a core component for seawater hydrogen production.

Starting from the new all-time high of USD 5,602 on January 29, the gold price has now been in a correction phase for over three months, characterized so far by two sharp downward waves, two recovery waves, and most recently by another downward wave since mid-April.