[E-bike Market Dynamics] According to data from the General Administration of Customs, exports of electric motorcycles and bicycles grew 18.1% YoY in 2025. In addition, in Q1 2026, exports of electric motorcycles and bicycles by private enterprises were up 30% YoY; total exports of electric two-wheelers across the industry reached approximately 7.2 million units, up 68.2% YoY.

The National Energy Administration held a press conference on April 27 to present the national energy situation and development achievements in Q1 2026. Energy investment maintained relatively fast growth in Q1, providing strong support for the turnaround of national fixed asset investment to positive growth. The power grid's role in ensuring security and expanding investment continued to be demonstrated, and investment in areas such as hydrogen energy, coal-to-oil and gas, and new-type energy storage accelerated its release. Private enterprises deeply participated in national science and technology projects in the energy sector, and a number of major projects were accelerated, providing strong support for China's energy security.

SMM April 27 News: Metals market: As of the midday close, domestic market base metals rose across the board. SHFE copper was up 0.38%, SHFE aluminum up 0.3%, SHFE lead up 0.3%, SHFE zinc up 0.7%, SHFE tin up 0.48%, and SHFE nickel up 2.62%. In addition, the most-traded casting aluminum futures rose 0.4%, the most-traded alumina contract rose 3.36%, the most-traded lithium carbonate contract rose 2.75%, the most-traded silicon metal contract rose 0.29%, and the most-traded polysilicon futures fell 4.47%. Ferrous metals mostly rose. Iron ore was flat at 786 yuan/mt, rebar edged up, hot-rolled coil rose 0.15%, and stainless steel rose 1.26%. Coking coal and coke: the most-traded coking coal contract rose 1.23%, and the most-traded coke contract rose 0.44%. Overseas market base metals: as of 11:43, LME metals mostly rose. LME copper was up 0.51%, LME aluminum up 0.95%, LME lead up 0.1%, LME zinc up 0.58%, LME tin edged down, and LME nickel was up 0.71%. Precious metals: as of 11:43, COMEX gold fell 0.11% and COMEX silver fell 0.38%. Domestic precious metals: the most-traded SHFE gold contract rose 0.12%, and the most-traded SHFE silver contract fell 0.08%. In addition, as of the midday close, the most-traded platinum futures rose 1.21%, and the most-traded palladium futures rose 1.52%. As of the midday close, the most-traded Europe containerized freight index contract rose 1.03% to 2,209.8 points. As of 11:43 on April 27, midday futures quotes for selected contracts: Spot and fundamentals Copper: Today, Guangdong #1 copper cathode spot prices against the front-month contract: high-quality copper was quoted at a premium of 280 yuan/mt, flat with the previous trading day; standard-quality copper was quoted at a premium of 200 yuan/mt, flat with the previous trading day; SX-EW copper was quoted at a premium of 140 yuan/mt, flat with the previous trading day. The average price of Guangdong #1 copper cathode was 103,085 yuan/mt, up 290 yuan/mt from the previous trading day; the average price of SX-EW copper was 102,985 yuan/mt, up 290 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Spot market: After the weekend, Guangdong inventory declined again, mainly due to fewer arrivals and some manufacturers stockpiling ahead of the holiday... Macro front China: [NBS: January-March profits of China's above-scale industrial enterprises rose 15.5% YoY; non-ferrous sector profits surged 116.7% YoY] NBS data showed that from January to March, total profits of China's above-scale industrial enterprises reached 1.696 trillion yuan, up 15.5% YoY. From January to March, among above-scale industrial enterprises, state-controlled enterprises posted profits of 619.61 billion yuan (up 10.1% YoY), joint-stock enterprises 1.305 trillion yuan (up 20.9%), foreign-invested and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan-invested enterprises 383.73 billion yuan (up 1.2%), and private enterprises 430.53 billion yuan (up 25.4%). Yu Weining, Chief Statistician of the Industrial Department of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), interpreted the industrial enterprise profit data for January–March 2026: In Q1, facing a complex economic environment, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council promptly stepped up macro regulation efforts and proactively implemented more active and effective macro policies. The industrial economy steadily rebounded, profits of above-designated-size industrial enterprises grew at a faster pace, profits in equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing grew rapidly, profits in raw material manufacturing posted double-digit growth, and the efficiency of industrial enterprises continued to improve. [National Energy Administration: China's Oil and Gas Supply Was Generally Stable and Orderly in Q1] The National Energy Administration held a press conference on April 27 to brief on the national energy situation and development achievements in Q1 2026. Xing Yiteng, Deputy Director of the Development Planning Department of the National Energy Administration, noted that energy security was effectively safeguarded. The impacts of the Venezuela crisis and the US-Israel-Iran conflict on China's energy supply were properly managed. In Q1, China's oil and gas supply was generally stable and orderly, with above-designated-size industrial crude oil and natural gas production up 1.3% and 3.0% YoY, respectively. Raw coal production remained stable despite a relatively high base in the same period last year, with above-designated-size industrial raw coal production up 0.1% YoY. The safety situation in the power sector was stable and improving, with efficient completion of power emergency responses to various natural disasters and successful completion of power supply assurance for the Chinese New Year and the Two Sessions. (Jin10 Data) [PBOC Achieved a Net Withdrawal of 382 Billion Yuan via Reverse Repo Operations] The PBOC conducted 218.5 billion yuan of 7-day reverse repo operations today. As 600 billion yuan of 1-year MLF and 500 million yuan of 7-day reverse repo operations matured today, a net withdrawal of 382 billion yuan was achieved. (Jin10 Data APP) US dollar: As of 11:43, the US dollar index fell 0.08% to 98.42. Multiple sources revealed that the US Department of Justice was expected to conclude its criminal investigation into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell as early as Friday, thereby ending the standoff that could have delayed the appointment of Powell's successor. Sources said senior DOJ officials recently contacted several senators, including Republican Senator Tom Tillis, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, informing them of plans to drop the investigation into alleged cost overruns in the renovation of the US Fed's Washington headquarters and refer the matter to the Fed's internal watchdog. Powell's term is set to expire next month, but he indicated in March that he would remain in office until Trump's nominee for Fed Chairman, Kevin Warsh, is confirmed. According to the CME "Fed Watch" tool, the probability of the US Fed keeping interest rates unchanged in April was 100%. The probability of a cumulative 25-basis-point interest rate cut by June was 4.7%, while the probability of keeping rates unchanged was 95.3%. (Jin10 Data) Data: Germany's May GfK Consumer Confidence Index, the UK's April CBI Retail Sales Balance, and the US April Dallas Fed Business Activity Index are scheduled for release today. Crude oil: As of 11:43, oil prices in both markets rose, with WTI up 0.85% and Brent up 1.11%. Crude oil futures rose at the start of Monday's session as peace talks between the US and Iran reached an impasse, while oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited, keeping global oil supply under sustained pressure. Crude oil futures prices swung wildly recently, as traders had to predict not only when oil exports from the Persian Gulf would resume, but also how long it would take for production in the region to recover to pre-war levels. Trump said on Sunday that Iran was facing growing domestic pressure due to its inability to export oil, which could cause long-term damage to its energy export infrastructure. Goldman Sachs analysts said on Sunday that they had pushed back their expectations for the Strait of Hormuz to return to normal export levels from mid-May to late June. Meanwhile, they raised their Q4 WTI crude oil price expectations from $75 per barrel to $83 per barrel. (Jin10 Data) Citi raised its forecast for the average Brent crude oil price for the remainder of 2026 on Sunday evening local time, stating that if oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz continued to be disrupted through the end of June, oil prices could rise to $150 per barrel. The bank raised its base-case average price forecasts for Brent crude oil in Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2026 to $110, $95, and $80 per barrel, respectively. Citi also pushed back its expectations for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz from mid-to-late April to the end of May. Citi stated: "Given that significant gaps remain between the two sides on their respective red-line issues, we believe the risks are tilted toward the upside for near-term bullish sentiment and H2 2026 base-case oil price forecasts." In the bullish scenario (30% probability), Citi assumed that oil shipment disruptions would persist through the end of June at a scale similar to the current level of disruption. Under this scenario, Brent prices could surge to $150 per barrel, with Q2 and Q3 2026 averages approaching $130 per barrel, before pulling back to around $100 in Q4. The bank also proposed a "super bullish" scenario in which the Strait of Hormuz remained closed beyond June, noting that this would have severe implications for the share of oil expenditure in both global and US economic output. Spot Market Overview: ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ►

SMM April 16: Metal market: As of the daytime close, domestic base metals generally rose, with SHFE tin being the only decliner, down 0.07%. SHFE aluminum led the gains with a 2.89% increase, while the rest of the metals gained less than 1%. The alumina front-month contract rose 1.44%, and the foundry aluminum front-month contract rose 1.62%. In addition, the lithium carbonate front-month contract rose 4.2%, polysilicon rose 1.08%, silicon metal rose 0.89%, and the Europe containerized freight front-month contract rose 4.75% to close at 2,044.7. Ferrous metals all posted gains to varying degrees except for stainless steel, which fell 0.03%. Iron ore rose 3.1%. Hot-rolled coil and rebar rose over 1%, with hot-rolled coil up 1.22% and rebar up 1.06%. Coking coal and coke side, coking coal rose 2.32% and coke rose 1.94%. Overseas market, as of 15:04, overseas base metals generally rose, with LME tin leading the gains at 1.41%, LME aluminum up 1.31%, and the rest of the metals gaining less than 1%. Precious metals, as of 15:04, COMEX gold rose 0.51% and COMEX silver rose 1.08%. In China, SHFE gold rose 0.17% and SHFE silver rose 1.43%. In addition, the platinum front-month contract rose 0.45%, and the palladium front-month contract fell 0.66%. Market data as of 15:04 today Macro Front China: [NBS: Q1 GDP Up 5% YoY! National Economy Off to a Good Start with Accelerating Industrial Production Growth] According to preliminary estimates by the NBS, Q1 GDP reached 33,419.3 billion yuan, up 5.0% YoY in real terms, accelerating by 0.5 percentage points from Q4 last year. By industry, the primary sector's value added was 1,194.1 billion yuan, up 3.8% YoY; the secondary sector's value added was 11,613.5 billion yuan, up 4.9%; and the tertiary sector's value added was 20,611.7 billion yuan, up 5.2%. On a QoQ basis, Q1 GDP grew 1.3%. In Q1, the value added of China's above-scale industrial enterprises rose 6.1% YoY, accelerating by 1.1 percentage points from Q4 last year. By three major categories, the value added of the mining industry rose 6.0% YoY, manufacturing rose 6.4%, and the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water rose 4.3%. The value added of equipment manufacturing rose 8.9% YoY, and that of high-tech manufacturing rose 12.5%, outpacing the overall above-scale industrial value added by 2.8 and 6.4 percentage points, respectively. By economic type, value added of state-controlled enterprises increased 4.8% YoY; joint-stock enterprises rose 6.6%, foreign-funded enterprises and those with investment from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan rose 3.9%; and private enterprises rose 6.1%. By product, production of 3D printing equipment, lithium-ion batteries, and industrial robots increased 54.0%, 40.8%, and 33.2% YoY, respectively. In March, value added of industrial enterprises above designated size increased 5.7% YoY and 0.28% MoM. In March, the manufacturing PMI was 50.4%, up 1.4 percentage points from the previous month; the enterprise production and business activity expectations index was 53.4%. In January–February, industrial enterprises above designated size nationwide recorded total profits of 1,024.6 billion yuan, up 15.2% YoY. [National Bureau of Statistics (NBS): China’s Imports and Exports Are Well Positioned to Maintain Solid Growth] Mao Shengyong, Deputy Director of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that, based on years of practice, regardless of how the external environment changes, even during the pandemic when the market worried about whether China’s foreign trade could be sustained, China’s imports and exports have remained very strong. This was attributable to enterprises working hard to strengthen their fundamentals, enhance the technological content of products, and improve overall competitiveness. Overall, China’s imports and exports are still well positioned to maintain relatively solid growth. (Wallstreetcn) The PBOC conducted 500 million yuan of 7-day reverse repo operations in the open market, with the operation rate unchanged at 1.40%; 500 million yuan of reverse repos matured today. US dollar: As of 15:04, the US dollar index fell 0.05% to 98.03, marking a nine-session decline. Musalem of the US Fed said on Wednesday that high oil prices could push the underlying inflation rate for the remainder of this year to nearly one percentage point above the US Fed’s 2% target, and the US Fed may need to keep interest rates unchanged. Musalem said, “We are very likely to see some pass-through from oil prices to core inflation.” By the end of this year, the core measure of price increases would be “slightly below 3%, perhaps around 3%,” and there were risks of a further rise. Musalem said the US Fed may keep its policy rate in the current 3.50%–3.75% range “for some time,” while monitoring inflation, employment, and economic data in the coming months, and many of his colleagues shared the same view. The impact of last year’s tariff increases may gradually fade this quarter, and housing price inflation is also easing. As oil prices rise, inflation in a range of services has stayed high; if inflation begins to rise and could boost inflation expectations, he would be open to raising rates. Musalem also stated that the oil market is experiencing "the third negative supply shock in 12 months," which, combined with rising tariff rates and stricter immigration regulations, poses risks to both inflation prospects and the job market, potentially impacting economic growth. He predicted this year's economic growth would slow down but remain between 1.5% and 2%. (Jin10 Data APP) According to CME's "FedWatch," the probability of the US Fed raising interest rates by 25 basis points in April stands at 1.6%, while the likelihood of maintaining unchanged rates is 98.4%. For June, the probability of a cumulative 25-basis-point interest rate cut is 0%, with a 98% chance of unchanged rates and a 2% chance of a cumulative 25-basis-point hike. (Jin10 Data APP) On the macro front: Today, the UK will release February's three-month GDP monthly rate, manufacturing output monthly rate, seasonally adjusted goods trade balance, and industrial output monthly rate. The eurozone will announce March's final CPI annual and monthly rates. The US will report initial jobless claims for the week ending April 11, the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index for April, and March's industrial output monthly rate. Additionally, key events include: US Fed Governor Bowman speaking at the IIF forum; the Fed releasing its Beige Book; Bank of England Governor Bailey discussing global economic imbalances during IMF meetings; China's NBS publishing the monthly report on residential property prices in 70 major cities; a State Council press conference on national economic performance; the ECB releasing March's monetary policy meeting minutes; FOMC permanent voter and New York Fed President Williams delivering remarks; US Fed Governor Milan speaking; and the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting. Crude oil side: As of 15:04, oil prices showed mixed performance, with WTI down 0.06% and Brent up 0.2%. Market uncertainty persists over whether US-Iran peace talks will yield an agreement. Last week, US crude exports surged to near-record highs to meet demand from Asian and European buyers seeking alternatives to disrupted Middle Eastern supplies due to the Iran conflict. This brought the US close to becoming a net crude exporter for the first time since WWII. However, analysts and traders noted the US is rapidly approaching its export capacity limit. Government data released Wednesday showed net crude imports (exports minus imports) narrowed to 66,000 barrels per day, the lowest since weekly records began in 2001, while exports rose to 5.2 million barrels per day, a seven-month high. Annual data indicates the US last achieved net exporter status in 1943. Jin10 Data APP) Documents released by the White House show that US President Trump issued multiple oil pipeline permits on Wednesday, including one for a new pipeline aimed at facilitating the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products between the US and Canada. The construction permit has been granted to Bakken Pipeline for pipeline facility construction in Burke County, North Dakota. Additionally, he issued other permits for the maintenance and operation of existing pipelines near border areas in North Dakota and Michigan. (Jin10 Data APP) SMM Daily Review ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ►

According to preliminary estimates by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China's GDP in Q1 totaled 33,419.3 billion yuan, up 5.0% YoY in real terms, accelerating by 0.5 percentage points from Q4 of the previous year. By industry, the value added of the primary industry was 1,194.1 billion yuan, up 3.8% YoY; the value added of the secondary industry was 11,613.5 billion yuan, up 4.9%; and the value added of the tertiary industry was 20,611.7 billion yuan, up 5.2%. On a QoQ basis, GDP grew by 1.3% in Q1. The National Economy Achieved a Good Start in Q1 In Q1, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, all regions and departments thoroughly implemented the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, stepped up the implementation of more proactive and effective macro policies, and worked to stabilize employment, enterprises, markets, and expectations. Efforts were accelerated to foster and develop new quality productive forces. Production and supply growth picked up, market demand continued to improve, the employment situation remained generally stable, market prices saw a mild rebound, high-quality development advanced toward new and better directions, the national economy achieved a good start, and development resilience and vitality were further demonstrated. According to preliminary estimates, China's GDP in Q1 totaled 33,419.3 billion yuan, up 5.0% YoY in real terms, accelerating by 0.5 percentage points from Q4 of the previous year. By industry, the value added of the primary industry was 1,194.1 billion yuan, up 3.8% YoY; the value added of the secondary industry was 11,613.5 billion yuan, up 4.9%; and the value added of the tertiary industry was 20,611.7 billion yuan, up 5.2%. On a QoQ basis, GDP grew by 1.3% in Q1. I. Agricultural Production Was in Good Shape, and the Livestock Industry Remained Generally Stable In Q1, the value added of agriculture (crop farming) grew 3.7% YoY. The sown area of winter wheat remained stable, seedling conditions continued to improve, and spring plowing and preparation progressed smoothly. According to the national planting intention survey, the intended sown area for grain this year remained generally stable, with the rice area basically flat and the corn area stable with a slight increase. In Q1, the production of pork, beef, mutton, and poultry totaled 26.62 million mt, up 4.8% YoY, of which pork and poultry production increased by 4.2% and 9.3% respectively, while beef and mutton production decreased by 1.4% and 2.0% respectively; milk production increased by 3.4%, and egg production decreased by 3.1%. In Q1, hog slaughter reached 200.26 million heads, up 2.8% YoY; the quarter-end hog inventory stood at 423.58 million heads, up 1.5%. II. Industrial Production Growth Accelerated, with Equipment Manufacturing and High-Tech Manufacturing Growing Rapidly In Q1, the value added of China's industrial enterprises above designated size grew 6.1% YoY, accelerating by 1.1 percentage points from Q4 of the previous year. By three major sectors, the value added of the mining industry grew 6.0% YoY, manufacturing grew 6.4%, and the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water grew 4.3%. The value added of equipment manufacturing grew 8.9% YoY, and that of high-tech manufacturing grew 12.5%, outpacing the overall value added of industrial enterprises above designated size by 2.8 and 6.4 percentage points, respectively. By economic type, the value added of state-owned holding enterprises grew 4.8% YoY; joint-stock enterprises grew 6.6%, foreign-invested and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan-invested enterprises grew 3.9%; and private enterprises grew 6.1%. By product, the production of 3D printing equipment, lithium-ion batteries, and industrial robots grew 54.0%, 40.8%, and 33.2% YoY, respectively. In March, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size grew 5.7% YoY and up 0.28% MoM. In March, the manufacturing PMI stood at 50.4%, up 1.4 percentage points from the previous month; the expectations index for enterprise production and business activities was 53.4%. In January–February, the total profits of industrial enterprises above designated size nationwide reached 1,024.6 billion yuan, up 15.2% YoY. III. Services Sector Grew Rapidly, with Strong Momentum in Modern Services In Q1, the value added of the services sector grew 5.2% YoY. Among them, leasing and business services, information transmission, software and information technology services, financial services, transportation, warehousing and postal services, and accommodation and catering grew 12.2%, 10.6%, 6.5%, 4.3%, and 4.3%, respectively. In March, the national services sector production index grew 5.0% YoY. Among them, the production indices of information transmission, software and information technology services, leasing and business services, and financial services grew 11.8%, 10.1%, and 6.7%, respectively. In January–February, the operating revenue of services enterprises above designated size grew 7.4% YoY. In March, the business activity index for the services sector was 50.2%, up 0.5 percentage points from the previous month; the business activity expectations index for the services sector was 54.8%. Among them, the business activity indices of railway transportation, telecommunications, radio, television and satellite transmission services, monetary and financial services, and insurance were in the relatively high prosperity range above 55.0%. IV. Market Sales Picked Up, with Rapid Growth in Services Retail In Q1, total retail sales of consumer goods reached 12,769.5 billion yuan, up 2.4% YoY, accelerating by 0.7 percentage points from Q4 of the previous year. By location of business units, urban retail sales of consumer goods reached 11,057.4 billion yuan, up 2.3% YoY; rural retail sales of consumer goods reached 1,712.1 billion yuan, up 3.1%. By type of consumption, retail sales of goods reached 11,307.2 billion yuan, up 2.2%; catering revenue reached 1,462.3 billion yuan, up 4.2%. Sales of basic living necessities and some upgraded goods grew relatively fast. On a YoY basis, retail sales of grain, oil and food, garments, footwear, hats, knitwear and textiles, communication equipment, and gold, silver and jewelry by units above designated size increased by 10.0%, 9.3%, 20.8% and 12.6% respectively. In March, total retail sales of consumer goods were up 1.7% YoY and up 0.14% MoM. In Q1, retail sales of services were up 5.5% YoY, with the growth rate on par with the full year of the previous year. Among them, retail sales of communication and information services, tourism, consulting and rental services, and culture, sports and leisure services grew relatively fast. In Q1, national online retail sales of goods and services reached 4,977.4 billion yuan, up 8.0% YoY. Of this, online retail sales of goods reached 3,161.4 billion yuan, up 7.5%, accounting for 24.8% of total retail sales of consumer goods; online retail sales of services reached 1,816 billion yuan, up 8.8%. V. Fixed Asset Investment Grew Steadily, Infrastructure Investment Grew Relatively Fast In Q1, national fixed asset investment (excluding rural households) reached 10,270.8 billion yuan, up 1.7% YoY, compared with a decline of 3.8% for the full year of the previous year; excluding real estate development investment, national fixed asset investment grew by 4.8%. By sector, infrastructure investment was up 8.9% YoY, manufacturing investment was up 4.1%, and real estate development investment was down 11.2%. The floor space of commercial buildings sold nationwide was 195.25 million m², down 10.4% YoY; sales of newly-built commercial buildings totaled 1,726.2 billion yuan, down 16.7%. By industry, investment in the primary industry was up 15.9% YoY, investment in the secondary industry was up 5.8%, and investment in the tertiary industry was down 1.0%. Private investment was down 2.2% YoY, with the decline narrowing by 4.2 percentage points from the full year of the previous year; excluding real estate development investment, private investment grew by 1.3%. Investment in high-tech industries was up 7.4% YoY, of which investment in computer and office equipment manufacturing, aerospace and aircraft equipment manufacturing, and information services grew by 28.3%, 19.0% and 20.9% respectively. In March, fixed asset investment (excluding rural households) was up 0.52% MoM. VI. Trade in Goods Grew Rapidly, Trade Structure Continued to Optimize In Q1, total value of goods imports and exports reached 11,838 billion yuan, up 15.0% YoY. Of this, exports reached 6,846.7 billion yuan, up 11.9%; imports reached 4,991.3 billion yuan, up 19.6%. Ordinary Trade imports and exports were up 9.0% YoY. Imports and exports to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative grew by 14.2%. Imports and exports of private enterprises grew by 16.2%, accounting for 57.3% of total imports and exports. Exports of electromechanical products grew by 18.3%. In March, total imports and exports reached 4,104.6 billion yuan, up 9.2% YoY. VII. Consumer Price Increases Expanded, and Industrial Producer Prices Continued to Rebound In Q1, the national consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.9% YoY, with the increase expanding by 0.4 percentage points from Q4 of the previous year. By category, prices of food, tobacco, alcohol and dining out rose by 0.5% YoY, clothing by 1.8%, housing fell by 0.2%, household goods and services rose by 2.3%, transportation and communication fell by 1.1%, education, culture and entertainment rose by 1.0%, healthcare rose by 1.8%, and other goods and services rose by 14.1%. Among food, tobacco, alcohol and dining out prices, pork prices fell by 11.3%, grain prices fell by 0.3%, fresh fruit prices rose by 4.3%, and fresh vegetable prices rose by 7.6%. Core CPI, excluding food and energy prices, rose by 1.2% YoY. In March, the national CPI rose by 1.0% YoY and fell by 0.7% MoM. In Q1, national ex-factory prices of industrial producers fell by 0.6% YoY, with the decline narrowing by 1.5 percentage points from Q4 of the previous year. Among them, March saw a YoY increase of 0.5%, compared with a decrease of 0.9% in the previous month; and a MoM increase of 1.0%. In Q1, the purchase prices of industrial producers nationwide fell by 0.5% YoY. Among them, March saw a YoY increase of 0.8%, compared with a decrease of 0.7% in the previous month; and a MoM increase of 1.2%. VIII. The Employment Situation Remained Generally Stable, with the Urban Surveyed Unemployment Rate Unchanged YoY In Q1, the average national urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.3%, unchanged from the same period of the previous year. In March, the national urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.4%. The surveyed unemployment rate for local household-registered labor force was 5.4%; the surveyed unemployment rate for non-local household-registered labor force was 5.3%, of which the surveyed unemployment rate for non-local labor force with agricultural household registration was 5.7%. The urban surveyed unemployment rate in 31 major cities was 5.3%. The average weekly working hours of employees in enterprises nationwide was 48.1 hours. At the end of Q1, the total number of rural migrant workers working outside their hometowns was 188.38 million, up 0.2% YoY. IX. Household Income Continued to Grow, with Rural Residents' Income Growing Faster Than That of Urban Residents In Q1, the national per capita disposable income was 12,782 yuan, a nominal increase of 4.9% YoY, or a real increase of 4.0% after deducting price factors. By place of permanent residence, the per capita disposable income of urban residents was 16,549 yuan, up 4.2% YoY in nominal terms and 3.2% in real terms; the per capita disposable income of rural residents was 7,433 yuan, up 6.1% YoY in nominal terms and 5.4% in real terms. By income source, the per capita nationwide wage income, net business income, net property income, and net transfer income grew 4.9%, 6.6%, 1.6%, and 5.1% in nominal terms, respectively. The median per capita disposable income of nationwide residents was 10,433 yuan, up 5.0% YoY in nominal terms. Overall, major macro indicators rebounded in Q1, new momentum grew rapidly, and the national economy achieved a good start. However, it should also be noted that the external environment has become more complex and volatile, the domestic imbalance of strong supply and weak demand remains prominent, and the foundation for economic improvement still needs to be consolidated. In the next phase, it is important to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, resolutely implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy, accelerate the construction of a new development paradigm, focus on promoting high-quality development, maintain the general principle of seeking progress while ensuring stability, implement more proactive and effective macro policies, continuously expand domestic demand and optimize supply, improve incremental resources and revitalize existing assets, and make efforts to stabilize employment, enterprises, markets, and expectations, so as to continuously consolidate and expand the steady and positive momentum of the economy. Recommended reading:

According to NBS data, in March, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size grew 5.7% YoY in real terms. On a MoM basis, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size rose 0.28% from the previous month in March. From January to March, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size was up 6.1% YoY. Value Added of Industrial Enterprises above Designated Size Up 5.7% in March 2026 In March, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size grew 5.7% YoY in real terms (all value added growth rates are real growth rates after deducting price factors). On a MoM basis, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size rose 0.28% from the previous month in March. From January to March, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size was up 6.1% YoY. By three major sectors, in March, the value added of the mining sector grew 5.7% YoY, manufacturing grew 6.0%, and the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas and water grew 3.5%. By economic type, in March, the value added of state-holding enterprises grew 5.9% YoY; joint-stock enterprises grew 6.2%, foreign-invested and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan-invested enterprises grew 3.7%; and private enterprises grew 4.0%. By industry, in March, 30 out of 41 major industrial sectors maintained YoY growth in value added. Among them, coal mining and washing grew 5.3%, oil and natural gas extraction grew 9.4%, agricultural and sideline food processing grew 8.0%, liquor, beverage and refined tea manufacturing grew 2.4%, textile industry grew 1.7%, chemical raw material and chemical product manufacturing grew 9.0%, non-metallic minerals product manufacturing declined 5.5%, ferrous metals smelting and rolling processing grew 1.7%, non-ferrous metals smelting and rolling processing remained flat YoY, general equipment manufacturing grew 6.3%, special equipment manufacturing grew 6.2%, automobile manufacturing grew 7.5%, railway, shipbuilding, aerospace and other transportation equipment manufacturing grew 13.3%, electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing grew 5.4%, computer, communication and other electronic equipment manufacturing grew 12.5%, and electricity and heat production and supply grew 4.2%. By product, in March, 329 out of 626 products of industrial enterprises above designated size recorded YoY growth in production. Among them, steel products totaled 130.98 million mt, down 2.3% YoY; cement 123.1 million mt, down 21.0%; ten kinds of non-ferrous metals 7.07 million mt, up 2.2%; ethylene 3.64 million mt, up 6.8%; automobiles 3.067 million units, down 0.1%, of which NEVs 1.336 million units, up 1.2%; power generation 802.5 billion kWh, up 1.4%; crude oil processing volume 61.67 million mt, down 2.2%. In March, the product sales rate of industrial enterprises above designated size was 93.8%, up 0.7 percentage points YoY; the export delivery value of industrial enterprises above designated size reached 1,458 billion yuan, up 8.7% YoY in nominal terms.

SMM Express: China's steel export prices remained stable today, with most shipments scheduled for May to June. Intraday market inquiries were active, and HRC order-taking also improved recently, with most deals concluded at $480-485/mt, while some transactions in North China were closed at $475/mt. Billet performance remained steady, while slab trading volume saw a significant increase, mostly concentrated among private enterprises.

The 2026 SMM (21st) Lead & Zinc Conference and Industry Expo opened grandly at Howard Johnson Agile Plaza in Chengdu, Sichuan during March 25–27 2026. Organized by SMM, the event brought together global enterprises, professional experts and industry peers from across the entire lead and zinc supply chain. Participants focused on industry hot topics, analyzed market trends and explored development strategies, establishing a highly efficient platform for communication and collaboration to support high-quality growth of the sector. To further strengthen the overseas delegation’s comprehensive understanding of China’s lead and zinc industrial chain and build closer connections between international industry peers and key producers in China, SMM led a high-level overseas delegation on a multi-day industrial tour starting on the afternoon of March 27. The delegation included representatives from global giants, such as Nyrstar, a top European lead and zinc smelting firm, Nexa Resources, a South American giant in lead-zinc mining and smelting, and Befesa, a pioneer in zinc recycling. During the tour, the delegation visited 8 Chinese enterprises. including: COSCO Shipping Sichuan Chengtun Zinc & Germanium Technology Sichuan Kunshun Zinc Industry Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Hongzhou Hongqian Nonferrous Chemical Yunnan Zhenxing Industrial Group Mengzi Mining & Metallurgy Danxia Smelter of Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan Nonfemet The delegation members went deep into production sites, held in-depth discussions and exchanges, and gained a full picture of China’s lead and zinc industry in terms of production operations, technological innovation, capacity scale and market layout, greatly enhancing their insight into and understanding of the entire industrial chain. SMM has systematically compiled detailed information of all enterprises that were visited during this tour, with details below: COSCO Shipping On the afternoon of March 27, the delegation visited COSCO Shipping for an exchange, where they received a warm welcome from the company's leadership. Both sides engaged in discussions on topics such as equipment transportation and technological upgrades. Sichuan COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain Co., Ltd., registered and established in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, with an investment of 30 million yuan. COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain Co., Ltd. is affiliated with China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited and serves as a core member of the "shipping, ports, and logistics" segment of COSCO Shipping Group, as well as an important component of its global digital supply chain system. The company operates warehouse space exceeding 6 million m², including 19 futures delivery warehouses. China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited is a globally leading shipping enterprise group, with a combined fleet capacity of 130 million DWT across 1,535 vessels, ranking first in the world. Sichuan COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. holds business qualifications and an operational scope covering multiple transportation modes including sea, land, air, and rail, providing comprehensive logistics services spanning both international and Chinese markets. Since entering the non-ferrous metals delivery warehouse business in 2016, the company has adhered to the principle of "client-centered and market-oriented," continuously enhancing its service capabilities and achieving steady business growth. Currently, at key logistics periods such as Shanghai Baoshan, Shanghai Yangshan, and Yixing in Jiangsu, the company successfully operates delivery warehouses designated by the Shanghai Futures Exchange for copper, nickel, zinc, and other products. It has become one of the three major non-ferrous metals warehouses of SHFE and was honored with the title of "Top Ten Designated Non-Ferrous Metals Delivery Warehouses" by the Shanghai Futures Exchange for two consecutive years. Sichuan Chengtun Zinc & Germanium Technology Co., Ltd. On March 28, the delegation visited Sichuan Chengtun Zinc & Germanium Technology Co., Ltd. (Shimian City). Both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on the development of the zinc smelting industry, with a focus on thorough discussions regarding product processing, production techniques, capacity scale, market trends, and the current challenges facing the industry. Sichuan Chengtun Zinc & Germanium Technology Co., Ltd. was established on December 6, 2015, with a registered capital of 1.6 billion yuan. The company has an annual capacity of 300,000 mt of electrolytic zinc, 150,000 mt of sulphuric acid, 400,000 mt of electrolytic zinc waste residue processing, and 40 mt of high-purity germanium dioxide. On January 16, 2019, the company was approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission and merged into the publicly listed firm Chengtun Mining Group Co., Ltd. The company's main business includes smelting and R&D of zinc-germanium series products, as well as comprehensive recovery of multiple metals. It has formed a complete industry chain from zinc concentrates entering the plant to finished products leaving the plant. Its production lines include zinc calcine, electrolytic zinc, electrolytic zinc waste residue processing, and comprehensive recovery of rare and precious metals. Sichuan Kunshun Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. (Shimian City) On March 28, the delegation headed to Sichuan Kunshun Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. (Shimian City) for a visit and exchange, where they received a warm reception from the enterprise. Both parties held in-depth discussions and exchanges on zinc smelting, covering topics such as production costs, production and market landscape, raw material procurement and processing, industry chain competitive advantages, and distinctive process technologies. Sichuan Kunshun Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. is a specialized and green environmental protection enterprise jointly invested and established by Sichuan Metallurgical Holding Group Co., Ltd. and Shimian Dongshun Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. to implement the national green production philosophy, actively develop the circular economy, and promote the comprehensive utilization of solid waste resources. It integrates solid waste treatment, recycling, and resource regeneration. The company primarily uses high-tech methods to carry out clean utilization and harmless treatment of heavy metal-containing waste generated by industries such as metallurgy and chemicals, eliminating the environmental impact of heavy metal solid waste at the source. The company was established in 2021 and is located in Zhuma Industrial Park, Shimian County, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province, covering an area of 65 mu with a total investment of 180 million yuan. The company has built a 3.5m × 50m Waelz rotary kiln production line, equipped with advanced and well-established low-grade zinc oxide production technology, achieving a resource recovery utilization rate of over 95% and effectively managing waste gas, noise, solid waste, and groundwater risks. It is also equipped with supporting facilities including desulphurization, denitrification, and flue gas defogging towers, as well as a wastewater treatment station, raw material warehouse, raw material pre-washing workshop, water slag processing workshop, biomass semi-gasification furnace, zinc crystallized salt workshop, production safety and environmental protection center, and laboratory for detection and testing. The company holds qualifications for treating hazardous waste categories including HW12, HW17, HW23, HW48, and HW49, with an annual capacity to process 100,000 mt of zinc-containing waste. Its main products include low-grade zinc oxide and zinc crystallized salt. The company has always upheld the green and environmentally friendly development philosophy, adhering to the fundamentals of "being responsible for the environment, for clients, and for employees," guided by technological innovation, and targeting the "reduction, recycling, and detoxification" of solid waste pollution prevention and control. The company is committed to building a modern "solid waste" management and disposal service provider, actively carrying out emergency environmental protection disposal, proactively assuming social service functions, and making positive contributions to promoting the circular economy development in Sichuan and strengthening the ecological civilization construction of lucid waters and lush mountains! Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. (Qujing City) On March 30, the delegation visited Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. (Qujing City) for exchanges. During the meeting, both sides conducted in-depth discussions on key topics including magnesium removal process optimization, production management organization, and raw material substitution plans, and put forward constructive suggestions on improving the plant environment. Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. was established to fully leverage Luoping's local hydropower and lead-zinc mineral resource advantages. In accordance with the "ore, electricity, and smelting integration" development strategy proposed by the Luoping County Party Committee and County Government, and the overall requirements of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government for the reform of industrial enterprises across the city, the company was registered and established at the Yunnan Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce on December 21, 2000. It was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange A-share market in 2007 and is a state-controlled enterprise under Luoping County. The company's assets are an optimized combination of three components: hydropower, lead-zinc mines, and zinc smelting. In terms of company assets, they are primarily composed of three advantageous resources of Luoping: mineral, hydropower, and zinc smelting. These mainly include six production units: Luoping County Fule Lead-Zinc Mine with an annual processing capacity of 100,000 mt of raw ore, Lazhuang Power Plant with annual power generation of 250 million kWh (installed capacity of 60,000 kW), a zinc smelter with an annual output of 120,000 mt of electrolytic zinc, a zinc powder plant with an annual output of 12,000 mt of ultra-fine zinc powder, a comprehensive utilization plant with an annual processing capacity of 129,500 mt of zinc slag, and a sulphuric acid plant with an annual output of 140,000 mt of sulphuric acid, achieving a total annual industrial output value exceeding 2 billion yuan. The company has six wholly-owned subsidiaries. The company's main businesses include hydropower generation, mining of lead, zinc, and other non-ferrous metals, as well as the production and sales of zinc smelting and its extended products. It is currently the only publicly listed firm in China's zinc smelting industry that integrates mining, power generation, chemical processing, and smelting. Its products include zinc sulphide concentrates, lead concentrates, zinc ingots, industrial sulphuric acid, ultra-fine zinc powder, cadmium, germanium concentrates, silver concentrates, copper concentrates, zinc alloys, industrial and residential electricity, edible oils and fats, among others. Its main product, "Jiulong" brand zinc ingots, is popular in non-ferrous product markets in and outside China thanks to its superior product quality and corporate reputation. Honghe Prefecture Hongqian Non-ferrous Chemical Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. On March 31, the delegation visited Honghe Prefecture Hongqian Non-ferrous Chemical Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. for exchanges. The two sides held in-depth discussions on topics including the economic benefits of smelting by-products, energy utilization efficiency, the current status of enterprise development, and future cooperation intentions. Honghe Prefecture Hongqian Non-ferrous Chemical Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. was established on August 1, 2007, with a registered capital of 50 million yuan. The total investment in project construction was 475.5543 million yuan. The company currently has over 600 employees and covers an area of 443 mu. The plant is located in the Heishenmiaobo Industrial Zone, situated in the central area of the Gejiu-Kaiyuan-Mengzi urban cluster. The company is a new-type joint-stock enterprise centered on crude lead smelting, integrating sulphur dioxide acid production, waste heat power generation, lead electrolysis, and recovery of precious and rare metals such as gold, silver, antimony, and bismuth, with further extension into deep processing of lead-series products including red lead, massicot, electrode plates, and storage batteries. It is a benchmark enterprise among private lead smelters in the city, featuring a relatively large scale, advanced technology, compliance with environmental protection standards, comprehensive utilization of resources, and a complete industry chain. The company pioneered the application of new technologies to upgrade and transform the traditional crude lead smelting model among private enterprises in the city. The company has formulated the working philosophy of "prioritizing environmental protection, ensuring safety, attracting talent, enforcing strict management, and enhancing efficiency," and continues to drive high-quality development. In April 2007, the company commissioned China ENFI Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. to conduct a feasibility study on the lead smelting technological transformation project, and determined a comprehensive industrial facility technological transformation project with a total investment of 490 million yuan and an annual capacity of 60,000 mt of crude lead. On December 21, 2009, the "Demonstration Project of Oxygen-Enriched Bottom-Blowing Lead Smelting Technology with Annual Output of 60,000 mt of Crude Lead" was designated by the Provincial Department of Science and Technology as a 2009 Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Project. In 2010, it was further designated as a key industrial project by the provincial, prefectural, and municipal governments. On November 14, 2011, the company obtained ISO9001:2008 quality management system certification. On March 7, 2012, "HSPb99.94PCT" was successfully registered on the London Metal Exchange. In 2019, the company successively passed the safety completion acceptance and environmental impact assessment completion acceptance, fully achieving compliant operations and sustainable development. Yunnan Zhenxing Industrial Group Co., Ltd. On March 31, the delegation headed to Yunnan Zhenxing Industrial Group Co., Ltd. for a visit and exchange. Both parties conducted in-depth discussions on topics including Yunnan Province's mineral resource endowment, smelting industry development trends, corporate business strategies, and technological innovation applications, jointly assessing the current status and prospects of the industry and analyzing the challenges and opportunities ahead. Yunnan Zhenxing Industrial Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "the Group") was founded in 1996 and is located in the Chongposhao New Materials Industrial Park, Shadian Sub-district Office, Gejiu City. The Group currently has 7 subsidiaries, 2 holding companies, and 1 equity-participation company, with approximately 3,000 employees. Its capacity reaches annual output of crude lead (100,000 mt), electrolytic lead (60,000 mt), zinc ingot (20,000 mt), lead-acid battery plates (9 million sets), lead-acid batteries (6 million units), superphosphate (350,000 mt), sulphuric acid (200,000 mt), and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) (60,000 mt). The Group has established five major production sites and five major product brands covering crude lead raw material, lead-zinc smelting, power supply manufacturing, fertilizer and chemical production, and resource recovery. It has formed an internal industrial cycle spanning lead ore mining—lead-zinc smelting—lead-based alloy melting—battery manufacturing—waste battery recycling—precious metals production, making it one of the few private non-ferrous enterprises in China with a complete lead industry chain. Since 2013, the Group has been consecutively recognized as one of the Top 100 Non-Public Enterprises in Yunnan Province. In 2025, it ranked 41st among the "Top 100 Non-Public Enterprises in Yunnan Province" and was selected for the first time into the "Top 20 Private Enterprises in Innovation Capability," ranking 7th. Yunnan Shadian Lead Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary controlled by the Group, ranked 71st. The Group has received nearly 100 honors at various levels, including "High-tech Enterprise," "Outstanding Private Technology Enterprise," "Enterprise with Harmonious Labor Relations," "Provincial Model Collective for Ethnic Unity and Progress," and "Key Enterprise for Industrial Development in Honghe Prefecture" in Yunnan Province. The Group's Yunsha brand lead ingot was successfully registered on the London Metal Exchange in 2007 and on the Shanghai Futures Exchange in 2020. In 2021, the Group was rated AAA in enterprise credit rating in the national non-ferrous metals industry. In August 2024, it was designated as a "Qiangyuan Zhuqi" Industry-Finance Service Base by the Shanghai Futures Exchange. Looking ahead, the Group will pursue the philosophy of "seeking survival, pursuing development, and accelerating enterprise transformation and upgrading," adhering to the working approach of "rooting in Honghe, basing in Yunnan, radiating to surrounding regions, and expanding across China." It will thoroughly implement strategies of enterprise management transformation, technology-driven development, talent empowerment, and sustainable development, striving to achieve significant increases in capacity and production of major products by 2035, with gross industrial output value up YoY, and to build itself into a 10 billion green lead-zinc comprehensive recycling technology enterprise. Mengzi Mining and Metallurgy Co., Ltd. On March 31, SMM and the field trip delegation headed to Mengzi Mining and Metallurgy Co., Ltd. for a visit and exchange. Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on the entire zinc smelting process, covering topics including production technology, raw material supply, product sales, environmental protection governance, and future development plans, aiming to share experience, address industry pain points, and jointly clarify the direction of development. Mengzi Mining and Metallurgy Co., Ltd. was established in 1996. It is a resource-based mining and metallurgy enterprise integrating R&D, exploration, mining, mineral processing, smelting, and trading, with a focus on comprehensive utilization of resources. The company is one of the few comprehensive private enterprises in the non-ferrous metal industry that possesses an entire industry chain and operates independent trading and supply chain business platforms. It is among the top 100 enterprises in Yunnan Province and a key enterprise in Honghe Prefecture. Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan Nonfemet Co., Ltd. — Danxia Smelter On April 2, the SMM delegation visited Zhongjin Lingnan's Danxia Smelter for a survey and field trip to the core plant area. In-depth discussions were held on production operations, technological R&D, and raw material procurement, covering key topics such as production capacity, technical cooperation, and raw material procurement strategies. Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan Nonfemet Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Zhongjin Lingnan") was established in September 1984 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in January 1997 (stock code: 000060). It is an internationalized entire industry chain resource company primarily engaged in lead, zinc, and copper mining, mineral processing, and smelting, as well as comprehensive recovery of rare, scattered, and precious metals. It is a publicly listed firm controlled by Guangsheng Holdings Group, a key wholly state-owned enterprise under Guangdong Province. Zhongjin Lingnan's business covers segments including mines, smelting, new materials, and supply chains. It has 23 directly affiliated enterprises, wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Major operating entities include Fankou Lead-Zinc Mine, Shaoguan Smelter, Danxia Smelter, Zhongjin Copper Co., Guangxi Mining Co., Perilya Limited in Australia, Zhongjin Technology Co., and Huajiari Co. The company has an annual output of 300,000 mt of lead and zinc metal content in concentrates, 450,000 mt of smelted lead and zinc products, 450,000 mt of copper cathode, 21,000 mt of aluminum extrusion, 20,000 mt of battery zinc powder, and 5,400 mt of composite metal materials. Among these, its battery zinc powder ranked first in Chinese market share, nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium battery electrode sheets & plates materials ranked first in Chinese market share, and thermal bimetal ranked first in Chinese market share. The 2026 field trip brought together some global lead and zinc industry leaders for an inspiring and highly productive journey across China’s leading smelters and enterprises. The warm welcome, operational excellence, and innovative technologies on display made this event a resounding success — and we extend our deepest gratitude to all the companies and participants who made it happen. Looking ahead – Save the date for 2027: We are excited to announce that the 2027 SMM (22nd) Lead & Zinc Conference and Industry EXPO will take place from March 17–19, 2027 in Kunming, Yunnan, China . This premier event will once again bring together the global lead-zinc community for high-level networking, insight sharing, and industrial exploration. Interactive call – We want to hear from you: As we plan the field trip for the 2027 conference, we’d love your input. Which smelters or companies would you most like to visit for technical exchange and on-site learning? Please share your suggestions in the comments below — your feedback will help shape the 2027 experience. Let us know where the industry should go next!

On January 30, 2026, the National Energy Administration held a press conference (introducing the national energy situation in 2025, etc.), at which Deputy Director Bian Guangqi of the Energy Conservation and Technology Equipment Department and Deputy Director Liu Mingyang of the Electricity Department responded to journalists' questions on the work related to hydrogen energy development and issues such as the integrated development of new energy and industries. The relevant content constitutes an important notification of work achievements and future deployment in the hydrogen energy sector. Content related to hydrogen energy in the document: Hydrogen energy is listed as an important direction for future industries, playing a significant role in the construction of new-type power systems and new-type energy systems, and can promote the development and utilization of new energy, helping to achieve the "dual carbon" goals. Key work achievements during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period: First, Planning Leads to Quality Improvement , taking the lead in establishing an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism for the hydrogen energy industry development, formulating the "Medium and Long-Term Plan for Hydrogen Energy Industry Development (2021–2035)", and compiling the "China Hydrogen Energy Development Report"; second, Pilot Innovation and Integration , carrying out hydrogen energy pilots in 41 projects and 9 regions (covering directions such as large-scale new energy hydrogen production and full-chain development), implementing the "Hydrogen Energy Technology" key special project, and releasing a list of hydrogen energy first (set) technical equipment in 5 batches comprising 27 items and promoting their application; third, Standards Strengthen the Foundation , establishing the Standardization Technical Committee for the Hydrogen Energy Sector in the Energy Industry, promoting the compilation of standards such as the "Clean and Low-Carbon Hydrogen Evaluation Standard", and cooperating in the release of the methodology for renewable energy water electrolysis hydrogen production. By the end of 2025, the capacity for renewable energy hydrogen production exceeded 250,000 mt/year, doubling compared to the previous year , with projects in many places completed and put into operation, and the industrial chain gradually becoming interconnected. During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, efforts will be intensified to strengthen planning guidance, increase policy support, tackle core technologies, etc., to cultivate hydrogen energy as a future industry; simultaneously, promoting industries such as water electrolysis hydrogen production to leverage their flexible regulation capabilities, forming new business models such as comprehensive green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol industrial bases, and creating a broad market for the hydrogen energy production, storage, transportation, and utilization industries. Policy coordination and cooperation: Previously, the National Energy Administration had issued multiple hydrogen energy-related policies, including jointly issuing the "Medium and Long-Term Plan for Hydrogen Energy Industry Development (2021–2035)" with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in 2022, jointly issuing the "Guiding Opinions on Vigorously Implementing the Renewable Energy Substitution Action" with multiple departments in 2024 to encourage large-scale substitution with low-carbon hydrogen and explore the construction of integrated wind-solar-hydrogen-ammonia-methanol bases, launching hydrogen energy pilot work in the energy sector in June 2025, and issuing a document on January 18, 2026 to establish four standardization technical organizations in the hydrogen energy field; the content reported in this press conference constitutes a summary of the effectiveness of previous planning, pilot projects, and standard construction work, along with subsequent advancement, further improving the full-chain policy system of "planning-pilot-standards-application", working in the same direction as previous policies to continuously promote the hydrogen energy industry from orderly initiation to large-scale, high-quality development. Full text as follows: The National Energy Administration held a press conference to introduce the national energy situation in 2025, energy supply guarantee for peak winter demand, the development of new-type energy storage, the national electricity market trading, and other related situations, and answered questions from journalists. [Zhang Xing, Deputy Director General of the General Affairs Department] Good morning, friends from the press! Welcome to the National Energy Administration's regular press conference. Today's press conference will introduce the national energy situation in 2025, the development of new-type energy storage, national electricity market trading, and energy supply guarantee for this year's peak winter demand, among other topics, and will answer questions from journalists. Attending today's press conference are Mr. Xing Yiteng, Deputy Director General of the Development Planning Department; Mr. Bian Guangqi, Deputy Director General of the Energy Conservation, Science and Technology Equipment Department; Mr. Liu Mingyang, Deputy Director General of the Electric Power Department; and Mr. Wang Yunbo, Deputy Director General of the Market Regulation Department. I am Zhang Xing, Deputy Director General of the General Affairs Department and Spokesperson of the Administration. After the presentations by the various department heads, we will have a unified Q&A session for journalists. Now, I invite Deputy Director General Xing Yiteng from the Planning Department to introduce the national energy situation and development achievements in 2025. [Xing Yiteng, Deputy Director General of the Development Planning Department] Good morning, friends from the press. Next, I will briefly introduce the national energy situation in 2025. In 2025, China's energy supply guarantee capability was effectively enhanced, supply and demand were generally balanced, multiple important policy measures were intensively introduced, the industry developed in a healthy and orderly manner, the foundation for building a new energy system was continuously strengthened, helping China's economy to sustain its rebound and improvement. I will focus on three key achievements: First, energy security was effectively guaranteed. 2025 was the year with the best energy supply guarantee results since the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. Raw coal production remained stable, with the output of raw coal from industrial enterprises above designated size up 1.2% YoY. Both oil and gas output reached record highs, with crude oil output from industrial enterprises above designated size up 1.5% YoY and natural gas output from industrial enterprises above designated size up 6.2% YoY. Power supply was stable and orderly, with a batch of UHVDC transmission projects put into operation, continuously improving the complementary and mutual support level of the power system. Second, the pace of green and low-carbon transformation accelerated. A series of policy measures were formulated and introduced to promote the integrated development of new energy, facilitate new energy consumption and regulation, helping to improve the quality and efficiency of new energy development. Throughout the year, new wind and PV installations exceeded 430 million kW, and the cumulative installed capacity surpassed 1.8 billion kW, with the share of renewable energy installed capacity exceeding 60%. Renewable energy power generation reached approximately 4.0 trillion kWh, exceeding the total electricity consumption of the EU-27 (approximately 3.8 trillion kWh). Third, significant results were achieved in the orderly development of the industry. Comprehensive rectification of "involutionary" competition in the PV industry was deeply advanced. By the end of 2025, the prices of polysilicon and silicon wafers reached 53.86 yuan/kg and 1.329 yuan/piece, respectively, up 52.0% and 35.6% from their annual lows. Comprehensive measures were implemented to achieve stable coal production, supply, and pricing, guiding spot prices to operate within a reasonable range. By the end of 2025, the spot price of 5,500 kcal thermal coal at Bohai Rim ports reached 690 yuan/mt, an increase of 75 yuan/mt from the annual low. That concludes my presentation. Thank you! [Deputy Director-General Zhang Xing, Comprehensive Department] Thank you, Deputy Director-General Xing Yiteng. Next, Deputy Director-General Liu Mingyang from the Electricity Department will introduce the energy supply guarantee situation for this winter’s peak demand period. [Deputy Director-General Liu Mingyang, Electricity Department] Hello, friends from the media! I will now introduce the energy supply guarantee situation for this winter’s peak demand period. Electricity sector. This winter, the national average temperature was close to or slightly warmer than the same period in previous years, but frequent “cold-warm transitions” occurred, with increased cold air activity in north China, leading to multiple rounds of intense cold wave conditions. National electricity load repeatedly broke historical winter peak records. On January 4, 2026, the national maximum power load reached 1.351 billion kW, setting a new winter load record (the previous record was 1.345 billion kW on December 21, 2023). On January 19, 20, and 21, affected by widespread cold wave conditions, the national maximum power load set new winter records for three consecutive days, exceeding 1.4 billion kW for the first time, with the peak reaching 1.433 billion kW on January 21. Since the beginning of this winter, the power grids of three regions (North China, Northwest China, Northeast China) and 14 provincial-level grids (including Xinjiang and Tibet) have recorded a cumulative total of 86 new historical load peaks. The National Energy Administration thoroughly implemented the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, urging and guiding local authorities and relevant energy enterprises to fully ensure stable and orderly energy and power supply. Currently, national fuel reserves are sufficient, and power supply remains stable. First, we shouldered our supply guarantee responsibilities to ensure safe and reliable power supply. We adopted a “one-province-one-policy” approach to guide and supervise the detailed implementation of supply guarantee measures, prepared contingency plans, optimized power grid arrangements, and enhanced inter-provincial surplus-deficit coordination. Currently, fuel supply for nationally dispatched power plants is solid and reliable, with coal inventories at power plants in key heating areas such as Northeast China exceeding 25 days. Second, we maintained continuous monitoring and early warning to coordinate and resolve supply guarantee risks. We continuously conducted monitoring and analysis of winter power supply guarantees, closely tracked changes in weather, load, and supply-demand conditions, strengthened bottom-line guarantees in vulnerable areas such as remote regions and urban villages where line and transformer overloads frequently occur, and properly addressed operational risks to supply guarantees. Third, we enhanced service awareness to ensure high-quality and efficient power supply and heating. We strengthened electricity safety services for residential and key users, conducted special inspections on hidden electricity safety hazards for important users, and performed special equipment inspections in response to holiday loads and cold wave conditions. Focusing on the implementation of clean heating policies and the quality of energy supply guarantees, we ensured the stable and orderly progress of clean heating efforts in north China. Fourth, strengthen regulatory oversight and properly address the urgent and difficult issues of public concern. Leverage the frontline regulatory role of dispatched agencies, enhance supervision of residential electricity use, strengthen monitoring of electricity spot market operations, and utilize market price signals to guide power generation enterprises in maintaining stable and full-capacity generation. Strengthen the whole-process supervision of complaints handled through the 12398 energy regulatory hotline, and urge energy and power enterprises within their jurisdictions to promptly address various public demands that are frequently reported, further enhancing the public's sense of gain in energy use. Coal side. Adhere to the unwavering role of coal as a bottom-line guarantee, continue to leverage the national daily coal production scheduling mechanism, promptly coordinate and resolve prominent issues encountered in stabilizing coal production and supply, and guide key coal-producing provinces (regions) and mining enterprises in scientifically formulating production plans and reasonably arranging equipment maintenance. Since the peak winter period began, coal production has remained at a relatively high level. On January 27, the coal inventory at national unified dispatch power plants was 220 million mt, sufficient for 26 days. The long-term contract price for 5,500 kcal/kg thermal coal at Qinhuangdao Port was 684 yuan/mt, while the spot price for 5,500 kcal/kg thermal coal at Bohai Rim ports was 694 yuan/mt. The foundation for coal supply during the peak winter period is solid and reliable, with market operations stable and orderly. Oil and gas side. Refined oil products side. In 2025, the refined oil market demand remained generally weak. According to industry monitoring, annual refined oil consumption was 378 million mt, down 2.9% YoY; refined oil production was 414 million mt, down 2.4% YoY. Overall, the domestic refined oil market has ample supply and stable inventory, maintaining a supply-demand balance in the petroleum market during the peak winter period. Natural gas side. Since the start of the heating season, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration have jointly initiated a daily reporting system and weekly meeting mechanism for natural gas supply security. They issued the "Notice on Strengthening Natural Gas Supply in Key Areas to Ensure the Public Stays Warm in Winter," providing further detailed arrangements for issues such as gas source guarantees for rural coal-to-gas conversion projects and coordination between gas and electricity. As of January 27, cumulative natural gas consumption during the national heating season reached 119.52 billion m³, up 4.6% YoY. Domestic gas production and imported pipeline gas operated steadily at relatively high levels, with sufficient regulation capacity from underground gas storage and coastal LNG receiving terminals, ensuring natural gas supply during the peak winter period. Currently, we are in a critical period of the peak winter season, especially with the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday. The National Energy Administration will work together with relevant provinces, regions, and energy enterprises to continuously strengthen monitoring, early warning, and coordination, and enhance preparedness for extreme weather conditions such as low temperatures, snow, and freezing. This will ensure stable and orderly national energy supply security, providing strong support for the public to stay warm during the winter and enjoy a peaceful holiday season. Thank you everyone! [Deputy Director General Zhang Xing, Comprehensive Affairs Department] Thank you Deputy Director General Liu Mingyang. Next, Deputy Director General Bian Guangqi from the Energy Conservation and Technology Equipment Department will introduce the development of new-type energy storage in 2025. [Deputy Director General Bian Guangqi, Energy Conservation and Technology Equipment Department] Good morning, friends from the media. I will now brief you on the development of new-type energy storage in 2025. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the development of new-type energy storage. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee explicitly called for "vigorously developing new-type energy storage." The National Energy Administration has thoroughly implemented the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, making coordinated plans and taking multiple measures to achieve solid results in advancing new-type energy storage, providing strong support for building a new energy system and a new power system. New-type energy storage installations increased by 84% compared to the end of 2024. By the end of 2025, the scale of operational new-type energy storage installations nationwide reached 136 million kW/351 million kWh, a more than 40-fold increase compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period, representing leapfrog development. The average energy storage duration was 2.58 hours, an increase of 0.30 hours from the end of 2024. By region, north China had the largest share of installations. Operational new-type energy storage installations in north China accounted for 32.5% of the national total, north-west China for 28.2%, east China for 14.4%, south China for 13.1%, central China for 11.1%, and north-east China for 0.7%. Over the past year, north China and north-west China were the main growth areas for new-type energy storage, with new installations of 21.88 million kW and 19.66 million kW, accounting for 35.2% and 31.6% of the national new installations, respectively. By province, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and others developed rapidly. Driven by multiple factors including steady growth in electricity demand, rapid development of new energy, and strong policy support, provinces such as Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Yunnan, Hebei, and Shandong saw rapid development of new-type energy storage, with new installations of 10.23 million kW, 10.03 million kW, 6.13 million kW, 5.69 million kW, and 4.04 million kW, respectively. The top three provinces by cumulative installation scale were: Inner Mongolia (20.26 million kW), Xinjiang (18.8 million kW), and Shandong (11.21 million kW). Eight provinces, including Hebei, Jiangsu, Ningxia, Yunnan, Gansu, Zhejiang, and Henan, had installation scales exceeding 5 million kW. In terms of single-station scale, the trend towards larger projects exceeding 100,000 kW is evident. By the end of 2025, projects of 100,000 kW and above accounted for 72% of the total installation scale, an increase of about 10 percentage points from the end of 2024; projects with a duration of 4 hours and above gradually increased, accounting for 27.6% of the total installation scale, an increase of about 12 percentage points from the end of 2024. From the application scenario perspective, standalone ESS share increased. In 2025, new installations of standalone ESS reached 35.43 million kW, with cumulative installed capacity share at 51.2%, up approximately 5 percentage points from year-end 2024. By technology route, lithium-ion battery ESS still dominated, accounting for 96.1% of installations, while compressed air ESS, flow battery ESS, flywheel ESS, etc., together accounted for 3.9%. Meanwhile, utilization of new-type energy storage further improved. Preliminary statistics show that in 2025, national new-type ESS equivalent utilization hours reached 1,195 hours, up nearly 300 hours from 2024. Among them, equivalent utilization hours of new-type ESS in State Grid and China Southern Power Grid operating areas were 1,175 hours and 1,294 hours, respectively. The flexible regulation capability of new-type ESS has become increasingly prominent, playing a growing role in promoting new energy integration, improving power system security, stability, and supply reliability. Next, the National Energy Administration will thoroughly implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, scientifically formulate the 15th Five-Year Plan implementation plan for new-type energy storage development, improve the policy management system for new-type energy storage, continuously deepen technological and industrial innovation, vigorously promote high-quality development of new-type energy storage, and strongly support the construction of new-type energy systems and new-type power systems. Thank you! [Comprehensive Department Deputy Director Zhang Xing] Thank you, Deputy Director Bian Guangqi. Next, Deputy Director Wang Yunbo from the Market Regulation Department will introduce the effectiveness of national electricity market trading in 2025. [Market Regulation Department Deputy Director Wang Yunbo] Hello, media friends! In 2025, the National Energy Administration resolutely implemented the decisions and deployments of the Central Committee and the State Council, actively promoted the construction of a national unified electricity market in coordination with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), effectively facilitated optimal allocation of electricity resources, and balanced security of supply, green transition, and price stability. National electricity market trading volume hit a new high in 2025, with cumulative trading volume reaching 664 million kWh, up 7.4% YoY. Three main features emerged. First, the share of market-based trading volume continued to rise, accounting for 64.0% of total electricity consumption, up 1.3 percentage points YoY, meaning "for every three kWh of total electricity consumed, two kWh were traded through the market." This was mainly due to near-full coverage of provincial spot markets, continuous operation of medium- and long-term electricity markets, and increasingly flexible and efficient market trading mechanisms. New energy fully participated in the market, the number of registered market entities in trading centers expanded steadily, exceeding 1 million, and market activity continued to climb. Second, cross-provincial and cross-regional electricity transaction volume continued to grow, reaching 1.59 trillion kWh, a record high, up 11.6% YoY, 4.2 percentage points higher than the average growth rate of national market transaction volume. The southern regional power market commenced continuous settlement operations, and the power market in the Yangtze River Delta, as well as inter-provincial power mutual assistance trading mechanisms in the Northeast, Northwest, and Central China regions, were continuously improved. During the summer peak period, cross-regional transmission channels in the "Three Norths" region operated at full capacity, and the inter-provincial spot market supported power supply guarantees in more than 20 provinces including Sichuan and Chongqing, facilitating the smooth "large-scale circulation" of power resources. Third, green electricity transaction volume surged, reaching 328.5 billion kWh, up 38.3% YoY, 18 times the scale of 2022. The transaction volume of multi-year green electricity PPAs reached 60 billion kWh. The cross-operating-area regular trading mechanism enabled users in the Greater Bay Area to use green electricity from Inner Mongolia for the first time, and users in the Yangtze River Delta to introduce green electricity from Guangxi, further meeting enterprises' green energy needs and supporting the green and low-carbon transformation of the industrial structure. The nationally unified power market system provided important support for advancing the construction of the new-type power system and socio-economic development, playing four key roles: First, it served as a "configurator" for optimizing cross-regional resources. The abundant clean energy in the west and sufficient thermal power resources in the north could precisely meet the electricity demand of load centers in the eastern coastal and southern regions, effectively alleviating the coexistence of "stranded power" and "power shortages" in different areas. For example, in 2025, the Fujian-Guangdong DC link operated at full power throughout all periods, the southern region provided power support to Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Anhui for the first time, the maximum actual transmission power of national cross-regional channels reached 151 million kW, and cross-power grid operating area transaction volume reached 3.4 billion kWh. Second, it acted as a "stabilizer" for power security and supply. The power spot market played a critical role, forming a new pattern of bidirectional interaction between the power supply side and the load side, as well as collaborative supply guarantee through "high prices during peak hours, low prices during off-peak hours" price signals, providing a solid foundation for ensuring power security during peak summer and winter periods. For example, on the days when power loads hit record highs in Shandong, Guangdong, Anhui, and other places in 2025, the "high prices during peak hours" in the spot market incentivized generators to proactively strengthen equipment operation and maintenance guarantees, reducing generator forced outage rates and derating rates to "double zeros." Third, it functioned as a "booster" for the green energy transition. Spot and medium- and long-term market price signals reflected the supply-demand relationship of electricity in different periods and regions, allowing the environmental value of new energy during periods of ample power supply and its supply guarantee value during peak periods to be fully realized; the ancillary services market further improved the value realization mechanism for regulation resources, incentivizing their active participation in system regulation. For example, in 2025, 4.46 million industrial and commercial users in Shandong responded to market prices for "peak shaving and valley filling," shifting 2.25 million kW of evening peak electricity load and increasing 5.83 million kW of midday new energy accommodation space. Fourth, it serves as an "accelerator" for real economic development. In recent years, as power supply and demand have been relatively balanced and primary energy prices have declined, market trading prices gradually decreased and were passed on to the user side. Diversified entities such as industrial and commercial users, distributed new energy, new-type energy storage, virtual power plants, and EV charging facilities accelerated their entry into the market, sharing the benefits of reform and development. Thank you! [Zhang Xing, Deputy Director-General of the General Department] Thank you, Deputy Director-General Wang Yunbo. We will now begin the Q&A session. Journalists, please ask your questions based on today's press conference content. When posing a question, please first state the news organization you represent. [Journalist] Recently, the "Basic Rules for the Medium and Long-Term Electricity Market" were issued, marking the first comprehensive update since the 2020 version. What were the special considerations behind introducing the new rules? How will they impact the construction of the new-type power system and the development of a nationwide unified market? [Wang Yunbo, Deputy Director-General of the Market Regulation Department] Thank you for your question. Since the implementation of the new round of power system reform, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration formulated and revised the "Basic Rules for Medium and Long-Term Electricity Trading" in 2016 and 2020, respectively, laying a solid foundation for the healthy development and standardized operation of China's electricity market. In 2025, medium and long-term trading electricity accounted for over 95% of the total market trading volume, fully playing the role of a "stabilizer" in the electricity market. In recent years, the construction of the new-type power system and the electricity market has continued to deepen, leading to many "new changes" in market fundamentals. On one hand, the state has introduced a series of "new policies," including the full liberalization of generation and consumption plans, power grid enterprises acting as purchasing agents, capacity pricing for coal-fired power generation, full integration of new energy into the market, and comprehensive coverage of the spot market. On the other hand, "new business models" have emerged in the market, with rapid growth in green electricity trading scale and accelerated market entry of new entities such as new-type energy storage, distributed power sources, and virtual power plants. To better adapt to these "new changes, new policies, and new business models," we revised the 2020 version of the "Basic Rules for Medium and Long-Term Electricity Trading" to form the 2025 version of the "new rules," thereby further advancing the construction of a nationwide unified electricity market, standardizing medium and long-term electricity market trading behaviors, and legally protecting the legitimate rights and interests of market entities. This revision plays a significant role in building a nationwide unified market and serving the construction of the new-type power system. In advancing the construction of a nationally unified market, the foundational rule system has been further improved. The relevant content of the "Green Power Trading Chapter" has been consolidated and integrated into sections such as trading varieties and trading organization. Meanwhile, content already specified in other basic rules, such as market registration, information disclosure, and metering settlement, has been coordinated and streamlined, strengthening the overall coordination and linkage of the "1+6" foundational rule system for the electricity market. Mechanism innovations, including regular cross-regional power grid operations and flexible inter-provincial mutual support transactions within regions, have been incorporated into this revision, aiming to enhance the optimal allocation capability of power resources nationwide. In serving the construction of a new-type power system, the revision adapts to objective needs such as high penetration of new energy integration and participation of new-type market entities in trading, further improving market stability, flexibility, and foresight. Regarding "stability," it promotes extending the trading cycle to "longer" durations, encourages multi-year transactions, and strengthens the "ballast" role of medium and long-term trading. Regarding "flexibility," it promotes extending the trading cycle to "shorter" durations, deepens continuous medium and long-term operations, further increases trading frequency, promotes daily continuous trading, enhances the flexibility of the medium and long-term market, and fosters coordination and linkage with the spot market. Regarding "foresight," it adds forward-looking clauses such as participation of new-type market entities in medium and long-term trading. That concludes my response, thank you! [Reporter] We note that investment in China's energy sector maintained rapid growth in 2025. Could you elaborate on the specific investment situation and key characteristics observed nationally in 2025? [Deputy Director General of the Development Planning Department, Xing Yiteng] Thank you for your question. In 2025, national energy investment maintained rapid growth. The completed investment in key annual projects exceeded 3.5 trillion yuan for the first time, up nearly 11% YoY. The growth rate was 12.9 and 10.1 percentage points higher than that of infrastructure and manufacturing investment during the same period, respectively. Among them, five provinces (autonomous regions) – Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangsu – each recorded completed investment exceeding 200 billion yuan. Overall, energy investment exhibited three main characteristics. First, investment in new formats driving the green energy transition accelerated. National new wind and PV installations exceeded 430 million kW, and the cumulative installed capacity surpassed 1.8 billion kW. Within this, investment in onshore wind power showed good growth momentum, with completed investment in key projects up nearly 50% YoY. New-type energy storage and the hydrogen energy industry continued to unleash new growth vitality, with completed investment in key projects doubling compared to the previous year. Second, effective investment in key areas ensuring energy security continued to expand. Investment in coal power and conventional hydropower showed good growth trends. Projects involving new and under-construction cascade hydropower clusters in the major river basins of Southwest China progressed orderly, continuously increasing physical workload. Investment in areas such as the power grid maintained steady growth, with accelerated construction of inter-provincial and inter-regional power transmission channels, continuously enhancing the level of complementary and mutual support of energy resources. Third, investment by private enterprises in the energy sector maintained rapid growth. The completed investment in key projects by private enterprises increased by 12.9% YoY, about 2 percentage points higher than the growth rate of completed investment in national energy key projects. Private enterprise investment focused on solar power generation, wind power, coal mining, and other fields, with investment in onshore wind power and distributed PV maintaining double-digit growth. Thank you. [Reporter] We have noted that in 2025, many regions cleared out a large number of electricity retail entities, and in 2026, local electricity trading schemes strengthened regulations and constraints on electricity retail companies across multiple dimensions. What is the current development status of China's electricity retail market? What are the new considerations for the high-quality development of the electricity retail market in the next steps? [Wang Yunbo, Deputy Director of the Market Regulation Department] Thank you for your question and for your concern regarding China's electricity market development. Since the launch of the new round of power system reform in 2015, which initiated the reform on the electricity retail side, the construction of the retail market has been steadily advancing, and the functions and roles of electricity retail companies have been continuously leveraged. Electricity retail companies serve as the bridge connecting the wholesale and retail markets; simply put, establishing an electricity retail company is like opening a "power store." These "stores" purchase electricity in bulk from power plants and then retail it to small and medium-sized industrial and commercial users. Therefore, the retail market acts both as a "firewall" and "convenience store" for end-users to participate in the market, and as a core link in guiding user resource response and enhancing the flexibility of electricity consumption on the load side. Currently, purchasing electricity through retail companies has become the primary method for small and medium-sized users to buy electricity in the market. By the end of 2025, there were 5,288 registered electricity retail companies nationwide, representing over 700,000 electricity users in market transactions, with retail transaction volume accounting for 60% of the market-based transaction volume. Regarding the "clearance of a large number of electricity retail entities in many regions," according to the relevant provisions of the "Electricity Retail Company Management Measures," "if an electricity retail company does not conduct actual transactions for 12 consecutive months, its trading qualification is suspended," and it also stipulates that "if no electricity retail business is conducted in any administrative region for three consecutive years, compulsory exit procedures are initiated." Therefore, relevant units must dynamically manage whether electricity retail companies continue to meet the registration conditions in accordance with the regulations. In 2026, we will further standardize the electricity retail market. First, in terms of institutions, "establishing new rules" to improve the system of rules and regulations. We will promptly revise the "Electricity Retail Company Management Measures," research and introduce the "Basic Rules for the Electricity Retail Market," standardize the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of electricity retail companies, and refine the compliance and self-discipline operation requirements for these companies. Continuously improve retail market design, strengthen the connection between wholesale and retail markets, and enhance information disclosure in the retail market, accelerating the cultivation of retail market awareness. Second, operate the "strong new order," improving risk prevention and control mechanisms. Enhance the management mechanism for compliance risk prevention and control, and strengthen the monitoring of retail market operations. Promote the transformation of electricity retail companies from "price spread arbitrage" to "value-added services." Third, manage the "establish new system," strengthen collaborative supervision and management, and promote the construction of a collaborative governance system for the retail market, jointly creating a fair competition order in the retail market. That's all for my answer, thank you! [Reporter] The development of China's green electricity certificates in 2025 has attracted high market attention. Looking back over the past year, what characteristics have emerged in terms of the trading scale, average trading price, and types of enterprises purchasing green certificates in China? How will China enhance the international influence of its green certificates in the future? What is the status of the compilation of the "Implementation Measures for the Minimum Proportion Target of Renewable Energy Consumption and the Renewable Energy Electricity Consumption Responsibility Weight System"? Which key energy-consuming industries are expected to be subject to the minimum proportion target requirements for renewable energy electricity consumption in the next step? [Vice Director Zhang Xing of the Comprehensive Department] Thank you for the question. Two aspects were mentioned just now, first regarding green certificates. In 2025, China's green certificate industry achieved leapfrog development, injecting strong momentum into the quality improvement and upgrading of renewable energy. We continuously improved the top-level design of the green certificate market, establishing and enhancing a green certificate consumption mechanism that combines mandatory and voluntary approaches. In March 2025, the "Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Green Certificate Market" was issued, proposing specific measures in terms of market supply, consumer demand, trading mechanisms, application scenarios, and international recognition. In July of the same year, the "Notice on the Renewable Energy Electricity Consumption Responsibility Weight and Related Matters for 2025" was issued, specifying green electricity consumption proportion requirements for steel, cement, polysilicon, and new data centers at national hub nodes, based on the foundation of aluminum, with verification using green certificates. As the green certificate system continues to improve, China's green certificate market has shown a positive trend of increasing volume and price. First, the trading scale has continued to expand. In 2025, the cumulative national green certificate trading volume reached 930 million, up 1.2 times YoY, with the annual trading volume exceeding the sum of all previous years. The number of consumer entities participating in green certificate trading nationwide reached 111,000, up 87.5% YoY. Among them, high-energy-consuming, export-oriented, and high-tech enterprises became the main consumers of green certificates; individuals purchased 7.24 million green certificates, six times the number in 2024. Second, the trading price stabilized and rebounded. Driven by both policy and market factors, the demand for green certificates continued to grow strongly. In H2 2025, the average trading price of China's green certificates was about 4.14 yuan per certificate, up 90% compared to H1. China's green electricity certificates have made significant progress in "going global." In May 2025, RE100 unconditionally recognized China's green certificates, and in November, Chinese green certificates made their debut at COP30, receiving positive feedback. Next, we will continue to strengthen international cooperation and exchange on green certificates. We will accelerate the establishment of a standard system for green certificates and green electricity consumption, promote the internationalization of Chinese standards, and facilitate the deep integration of Chinese green certificates with mainstream international certification systems. By leveraging bilateral and multilateral intergovernmental dialogue mechanisms, we will promote the exchange and alignment of carbon-related rules and green certificate regulations, continuously conduct international promotion of green certificates, and share China's green certificate story with the world. Regarding your second question, which concerns the minimum renewable energy consumption ratio target for key energy-consuming industries, this has been a recent focus of our work. To implement the requirements of the Energy Law, our bureau has taken the lead in drafting the "Implementation Measures for the Minimum Renewable Energy Consumption Ratio Target and the Renewable Energy Electricity Consumption Responsibility Weight System." Based on summarizing practical experience and considering the new developments and situation of renewable energy, we have further improved the renewable energy electricity consumption responsibility weight system. At the same time, we have clarified the minimum renewable energy electricity consumption and non-electricity consumption ratio targets for key energy-consuming industries and, taking into account industry development conditions, reasonably set a transition period for assessment. Currently, the "Measures" are undergoing relevant procedures and are expected to be issued soon. In line with national energy conservation and carbon reduction policies, we will fully solicit opinions from relevant industry authorities and actively and orderly expand the assessment scope for key energy-consuming industries. Thank you! [Reporter] In 2025, the National Energy Administration issued a series of policy documents to promote the high-quality development of the energy industry, which have attracted widespread public attention. How do these policies boost investment? What further measures will be introduced? [Xing Yiteng, Deputy Director General of the Development Planning Department] Thank you for your question. In 2025, the National Energy Administration implemented the strategic deployment of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee on building a strong energy nation and a new-type energy system. We increased policy supply, strengthened policy coordination, promoted the green transformation of energy, and directed investment toward new energy, continuously stimulating the vitality of high-quality energy development and enhancing the momentum for economic and social development. This has laid a solid foundation for the successful conclusion of the "14th Five-Year Plan" and a good start for the "15th Five-Year Plan." First, we coordinated efforts on both supply and demand sides to explore new spaces for green development. On the supply side, we deepened market-oriented reforms for new energy on-grid tariffs, advancing new energy into a new stage of market-driven development. Twenty-eight provinces completed their first round of bidding, with the national average guaranteed tariff for new energy incremental projects at 0.33 yuan/kWh and an average guarantee period of 12 years. Promoting the large-scale, high-quality development of solar thermal power generation, aiming for an installed capacity of around 150 million kW by 2030, is expected to drive approximately 170 billion yuan in new investment. Conducting industrialisation pilots for green liquid fuels, with already operational projects having spurred a total investment of about 23 billion yuan. Demand side, introducing a green electricity direct connection policy to launch a "green electricity express" for new energy and users, over 20 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities have accelerated project implementation in data centers, chip manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, the aluminum industry, industrial parks, and zero-carbon parks. Establishing a green energy consumption system driven by both "responsibility constraints" and "market incentives," supporting non-electric uses of renewable energy such as green electricity for hydrogen, ammonia, and alcohol production, expanding application scenarios for green electricity certificates, and stimulating green electricity demand across society to ensure green electricity is both generated and utilized effectively. Second, vigorously developing new energy technologies and scenarios to create new growth points. Setting up "charging piles," deeply implementing the "three-year doubling" action for EV charging facility service capacity, aiming to build 28 million charging facilities by the end of 2027, expected to boost investment by over 200 billion yuan. Upgrading "power banks," carrying out high-quality development actions for the new-type energy storage manufacturing industry and optimizing the power system regulation capacity, targeting a national new-type energy storage installation scale of over 180 million kW by 2027, which will drive investment of about 250 billion yuan. Setting up "routers," accelerating the development of virtual power plants, deeply tapping the potential of various regulation resources, aggregating distributed power supplies, adjustable loads, ESS, and other distributed resources to participate in market transactions, and broadening revenue channels. Third, systematically reshaping the new energy transition ecosystem to cultivate new momentum. Issuing guidelines to promote high-quality development of the power grid, driving the transformation of the power grid from transmission channels to resource optimization platforms, and boosting innovation in the industry chain and models. Releasing guidelines for the integrated and synergistic development of new energy, encouraging complementary multi-energy integrated development and integrated synergistic development of upstream and downstream energy industries, to help industrial integration create greater value. Introducing guidelines to promote new energy consumption and regulation, encouraging the development of various new energy consumption scenarios. Gathering intelligence and empowering, vigorously cultivating eight application scenarios including "AI+" power grid and new energy, driving the vigorous development of new energy infrastructure such as smart microgrids and the Energy Internet of Things. Fourth, focusing on breaking down institutional barriers to create a new investment environment. Issuing ten measures to promote the development of the private economy, removing entry barriers, and supporting various capitals in participating in projects such as nuclear power, oil and gas reserves, and new-type energy storage. Improving the "1+6" rule system of the national unified electricity market to create a fair competitive market environment. Issuing management measures for the licensing of power facility installation (repair, testing), simplifying approval processes, and reducing electricity access costs for small and micro enterprises. Regulate the fair opening of oil and gas pipeline network facilities to ensure that various types of capital can not only "enter" but also "integrate well." In 2026, the National Energy Administration will enhance policy support in areas such as stimulating market vitality and optimizing the development environment to overcome the "last mile" challenges in project implementation. On one hand, policies will be targeted to make returns visible. Introduce multi-user green electricity direct connection policies, accelerate the implementation of zero-carbon parks and industrial microgrids, and promote clean energy substitution for major energy consumers. Improve market mechanisms adapted to a high proportion of new energy to stabilize development expectations. On the other hand, strengthen the institutional guarantee system to keep projects operational. Enhance factor guarantees such as land and sea use, forming an energy investment orientation where policies and markets work in synergy. Expand the "zero investment" service scope for low-voltage power applications, implement the "three-province" service model, and achieve integrated handling of water, electricity, and gas services with a "single window" for electricity-related approvals. Thank you! [Reporter] Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Power Grid." The 15th Five-Year Plan proposal also explicitly calls for accelerating the construction of smart grids and microgrids. What is the current status of power grid construction at all levels in China, and what specific considerations are there for future development? [Liu Mingyang, Deputy Director of the Electricity Department] Thank you for your question. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, China's power grid adheres to the principle of "coordinated national planning," implementing unified planning and dispatch, and has built the world's largest and most technologically complex AC-DC hybrid power grid. It has three key characteristics. First, the capability for large-scale resource allocation continues to improve. We have cumulatively built and put into operation 45 UHV transmission channels, comprising "24 DC and 21 AC lines," forming a "power highway" that spans east-west and north-south. Currently, the power transmission capacity of the "West-East Power Transmission" project has reached 340 million kW, significantly optimizing power resource allocation nationwide. Second, the safety and supply guarantee capability has withstood severe tests. The main grid framework of UHV (EHV) regional power grids has been continuously improved, while the power supply guarantee capability and comprehensive carrying capacity of distribution networks have been steadily enhanced. This has effectively supported an average annual increase of 80 million kW in power load demand in China, ensuring the safe and reliable supply of electricity equivalent to the combined total of the US, EU, and Japan, with no large-scale power outages occurring for many consecutive years. Third, significant progress has been made in promoting the green and low-carbon transition of energy. China's power grid has become the world's largest platform for integrating new energy, strongly supporting the connection and efficient utilization of over 1.8 billion kW of new energy nationwide. This has helped raise the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption in China to over 20% in 2025. As the proportion of new energy installations rapidly increases and the continuous development of the new-type power system, the future power system will exhibit characteristics such as high new energy penetration rate, high power electronics, and high supply-demand randomness, presenting higher complexity and randomness, posing new requirements for power grid development. To implement the requirements of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on accelerating the construction of a new-type power system, smart grids, and microgrids, recently, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting High-Quality Development of the Power Grid," proposing to initially establish a new-type power grid platform by 2030, with the main grid and distribution network as important foundations and smart microgrids as a beneficial supplement. Next, we will focus on building a new pattern of coordinated development between the main, distribution, and microgrids, adhering to unified planning and integrated advancement, ensuring that the "major arteries," "capillaries," and "microcirculation" of the power grid each perform their functions efficiently and in coordination. The main grid will emphasize "strengthening the framework, ensuring safety, and facilitating circulation," continuing to play the role of a "ballast stone" in power supply and the "main artery" in resource allocation, consolidating the fundamental security of power supply, and laying the physical foundation for a unified national electricity market, supporting the wide-area allocation of clean energy resources. The distribution network will focus on "strengthening the foundation, enhancing capabilities, and promoting interaction," reinforcing its full coupling with the main grid, accommodating diversified sources and loads for open access and two-way interaction, supporting the reasonable development of distributed new energy, and comprehensively enhancing power supply assurance. Smart microgrids will concentrate on "promoting consumption, improving reliability, and expanding scenarios," serving as carriers of a new form of self-balancing and self-regulating power, supporting the connection of multiple entities, integrating into end-user green energy usage scenarios, promoting the local development and consumption of new energy, and enhancing the power supply reliability in remote areas and at the ends of the grid. Meanwhile, we will promote the moderately advanced construction of the power grid, strengthen the guarantee of major project elements, accelerate preliminary work on projects, and further increase investment in power grid projects at all levels, contributing to the construction of a new energy system and the modernization of China. Thank you! [Journalist] By 2030, China aims to have initially established a new energy system, with non-fossil energy accounting for 25% of total energy consumption, and new energy generation capacity exceeding 50%, becoming the main body of power generation. How will this specific goal be achieved? What is the current progress of the 14th Five-Year Plan for energy, and when is it expected to be released? [Deputy Director Xing Yiteng of the Department of Development Planning] Thank you for your question. I understand that your question mainly focuses on two aspects: one is the implementation path for the targets of non-fossil energy consumption ratio and new energy generation capacity ratio; the other is the progress of the 14th Five-Year Plan for energy. Next, I will provide a brief introduction to each topic. Regarding the first issue, achieving the target of a 25% share of non-fossil energy consumption. The proportion of non-fossil energy consumption is a key indicator of the nationally determined contribution targets, aiming for 25% by 2030 and over 30% by 2035. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we will work on both the supply and demand sides to steadily increase the share of non-fossil energy consumption. On the supply side, we will promote the simultaneous development of wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear power, ensure the stable growth of wind and PV power generation, maintain an average annual increase of 200 million kW, advance the integration of hydro, wind, and solar energy, and pursue the safe and orderly development of nuclear power. On the demand side, we will vigorously promote energy conservation and carbon reduction in key sectors such as industry, construction, and transportation, expand the use of green electricity, increase the electrification level of end-use energy, and, according to local conditions, expand the non-electric utilization of renewable energy sources like biomass and geothermal energy. We will also improve the green consumption system and continuously enhance the green and low-carbon level of energy consumption. Regarding achieving the target of new energy installed capacity exceeding 50%. We will focus on the following tasks, which can be summarized as the "Four Diversifications" initiatives. First, diversification of supply. We will accelerate the construction of new energy bases in desert-Gobi-wasteland areas, actively promote the planning and construction of integrated hydro, wind, and solar energy bases, increase the development of offshore wind power, and encourage multi-scenario and diversified development of distributed new energy to further expand the supply of new energy. Second, industrial integration. We will coordinate the synergistic optimization and upgrading of new energy and traditional industries, and promote the integrated and mutually reinforcing development of new energy with strategic emerging industries such as computing power and green hydrogen. Third, expansion of non-electric applications. We will actively expand the non-electric utilization of new energy, focusing on diverse conversion and local use, such as hydrogen, ammonia, and alcohol production from wind and solar power, as well as heating applications. Fourth, coordinated consumption. We will implement the minimum consumption target for renewable energy, reinforce the responsibility of key energy-consuming industries for green electricity consumption, improve the green electricity certificate trading mechanism, strengthen the coordination among electricity, carbon, and certificate markets, actively promote international mutual recognition of green certificates, reasonably reflect the environmental value of green electricity, and comprehensively enhance the level of new energy consumption. Regarding the progress of the 15th Five-Year Plan for energy, which you are concerned about. According to the work plan, over the past year, we have organized in-depth research on major issues related to the 15th Five-Year Plan for energy, solicited opinions and suggestions from relevant departments, local governments, enterprises, and experts, and conducted thorough demonstrations of the plan’s goals and tasks. We have already formulated a new-type energy system plan, as well as five sub-sector energy plans, including those for electricity and renewable energy. The next step will involve continuously refining the energy plan, ensuring its alignment with national economic and social development plans and other sectoral plans. After completing the relevant procedures, the plan is expected to be released in H1 of this year. My response ends here, thank you all! [Reporter] The 15th Five-Year Plan proposes to promote industries including hydrogen energy as new economic growth points in the forward-looking layout of future industries. Could you please introduce the work situation of the National Energy Administration in promoting the development of hydrogen energy? [Deputy Director Bian Guangqi of the Department of Energy Conservation and Science & Technology Equipment] Thank you for the question from this journalist friend. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee listed hydrogen energy as an important direction for future industries, clearly requiring that it should be promoted to become a new economic growth point. As an important part of the future national energy system, hydrogen energy plays a significant role in the construction of new power systems and new energy systems, which will strongly promote the development and consumption of new energy, and help achieve the "dual carbon" goals. At the same time, the hydrogen energy industry, with its high technological content, long industrial chain, and multiple involved links, will comprehensively drive industrial innovation, expand domestic demand, foster talent, and enhance international cooperation during its development. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we mainly carried out the following work in promoting the development of hydrogen energy: First, we promoted high-quality industry development through "planning leadership." The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration led the establishment of an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism for the development of the hydrogen energy industry, researched and formulated the Medium and Long-Term Plan for Hydrogen Energy Industry Development (2021-2035), comprehensively enhancing the innovative capability of the hydrogen energy industry, compiled the China Hydrogen Energy Development Report, guided industry consensus, and promoted the healthy and orderly development of the industry. Second, we advanced innovative integration through "project pilots." We deepened the integration of technological and industrial innovation in the hydrogen energy sector, selected 41 projects and 9 regions to carry out pilot work in the energy field, promoting the coordinated development of the entire "production, storage, transportation, and utilization" chain of hydrogen energy. We continued to implement the key special project "Hydrogen Energy Technology" under the National Key R&D Program, actively planned the layout of energy science and technology innovation and major national science and technology projects for the 15th Five-Year Plan, cumulatively released five batches totaling 27 items of first (set) technical equipment lists in the hydrogen energy field, and promoted the application and promotion of the first (set) equipment. Third, we strengthened the foundation of the system through "standard construction." We continuously promoted the construction and operation of the national hydrogen energy information platform, laying a solid foundation for hydrogen energy information statistics. We established a standardization technical committee for the hydrogen energy sector in the energy industry, strengthened the construction of the hydrogen energy standard system, promoted the formulation of industry standards such as the Clean and Low-Carbon Hydrogen Evaluation Standard, and cooperated in releasing the methodology for renewable energy electrolysis water hydrogen production, further playing the foundational and leading role of standards. With the joint efforts of the industry, the hydrogen energy industry gradually achieved an orderly breakthrough during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. By the end of 2025, China's cumulative built capacity of renewable energy hydrogen production projects exceeded 250,000 mt/year, doubling the previous year's figure. The projects in Kuqa, Xinjiang; Ningdong, Ningxia; Chifeng, Inner Mongolia; Da'an and Songyuan, Jilin have been completed and put into operation, gradually integrating the hydrogen energy production-storage-transportation-application industrial chain. A number of major technological equipment have achieved new breakthroughs, laying a solid foundation for the development of the hydrogen energy industry. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the National Energy Administration will work closely with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and other relevant departments to strengthen industrial planning guidance, increase policy support, enhance core technology research, promote hydrogen energy pilot projects, improve the standard certification system, deepen international exchanges and cooperation, and vigorously cultivate the future hydrogen energy industry, making positive contributions to accelerating the construction of a new-type energy system and building a strong energy nation. That concludes my response. Thank you! [Reporter] Recently, the National Energy Administration reported several violations, including collusive bidding by power generation enterprises. What regulatory measures will be taken in 2026 to prevent and investigate such behaviors? [Wang Yunbo, Deputy Director General of the Market Regulation Department] Thank you for your question. In 2025, the National Energy Administration adhered to the combination of an effective market and proactive government, deploying comprehensive regulation in the power sector and specialized regulation on prominent issues in the power market order. A number of illegal activities were identified and addressed, and five typical cases of power market violations were publicly reported, effectively serving as a warning and deterrent. In 2026, we will maintain a systematic approach, focusing on improving the power market regulatory system and continuously strengthening regulatory efforts to make our "toolkit" more comprehensive and regulatory measures more effective. First, improve the regulatory system. We will research and develop more comprehensive risk control documents to further leverage the "three lines of defense" in the power market, enhance the level of collaborative governance, and add an additional "safety lock" to the market. At the same time, we will introduce a series of easy-to-operate and replicable "regulatory guidelines," issue regulatory directives on abnormal behavior monitoring and handling in the power market, as well as power market information disclosure, to standardize regulatory benchmarks and reduce ambiguities. Second, continuously intensify market regulation. We will continue to conduct comprehensive regulation in the power sector, prioritizing the supervision of power market order. For behaviors that affect fair competition, we will promptly "draw the sword" to correct deviations and effectively maintain a fair market order. We will deepen the innovative application of digital and penetrating regulatory methods, continuously enhancing the predictability, accuracy, and effectiveness of regulation, making regulatory oversight more "sharp-eyed." Third, continuously strengthen the deterrent effect of regulatory enforcement. For identified violations, we will take serious actions through comprehensive measures such as administrative interviews and orders for rectification; for illegal activities discovered, administrative penalties will be imposed in accordance with the law to effectively uphold a fair and just market order. At the same time, we will strengthen the notification and public release of typical issues, using concrete cases to guide business entities in jointly fostering a fair competition market environment. That concludes my response, thank you! [Reporter] In November 2025, the National Energy Administration issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Integrated Development of New Energy," and at the 2026 National Energy Work Conference, it again emphasized "integrated development of new energy." How do you understand this concept? How can we further expand the new space for the coupled development of the coupling between new energy and industries? What new development opportunities will this bring to new energy and its related industries? [Liu Mingyang, Deputy Director of the Electricity Department] Thank you for your question. In recent years, China's new energy has achieved large-scale, high-level development and historic accomplishments, though it also faces new issues and challenges. For example, the power system's real-time balancing and absorption capacity for large-scale fluctuating new energy needs to be strengthened; the coordination requirements between new energy development and land, forestry, grassland, marine, and ecological aspects are higher; and the models and market mechanisms for the integration of new energy with different industries need further exploration and improvement. In response to these challenges, we proposed the concept of "integrated development of new energy," with the key lying in "integration." This means that the development of new energy should no longer follow the old path of "going it alone." Instead, as a key component of the new-type energy system, it should deeply integrate with the power supply, energy storage systems (ESS), power grid, and the production and consumption of various industries. This involves achieving "horizontal" integration through the combined development of new energy and other energy sources, "vertical" integration by linking new energy production and consumption hand-in-hand, and "upstream-downstream" integration within the new energy industry chain to "produce green with green." This represents not only technical synergy and optimization but also an upgrade in development philosophy. It will reduce new energy's reliance on sole absorption by the system, effectively enhance the autonomy of new energy development, and strengthen its market competitiveness. Regarding expanding the space for the coupling development of new energy and industries, the key is to use "new energy plus" to create new energy production and consumption models. We will actively promote development models that feature multi-variety complementarity and spatially intensive utilization of new energy, enabling new energy to penetrate buildings, transportation facilities, and rural revitalization efforts, thereby creating diversified development scenarios such as building-integrated photovoltaics (PV), transport-energy integration, and rural energy revolution. We will fully leverage models like direct green electricity connections to guide high-energy-consumption industries such as steel, petrochemicals, chemicals, and computing facilities to build new energy power generation projects based on local conditions, achieving green and low-carbon transformation while ensuring reliability. We will promote industries like aluminum electrolysis, water electrolysis for hydrogen production, machinery, and automobiles to fully utilize their flexible adjustment capabilities, reasonably arrange production and energy usage plans, and adapt to the variability of new energy power generation. Beyond power generation utilization, the focus is on expanding the diversified development and substitution of renewable energy in areas such as fuels, raw materials, and heating/cooling, forming new models and business formats like comprehensive green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol industrial bases and integrated PV-solar thermal heating systems. This will bring new development opportunities for new energy and its related industries. On one hand, it continuously injects new momentum into the new energy industry itself, guiding and driving the construction of projects such as new energy bases in desert-Gobi-wasteland areas, new-type integrated hydro-wind-solar energy bases, offshore wind power clusters, PV and wind power in mining areas, and smart microgrids. On the other hand, it creates broad markets and new growth points for related industries such as new-type energy storage, hydrogen energy production-storage-transportation-utilization, and new energy heavy-duty trucks, promoting the formation of a new green growth model where new energy development drives the common development of multiple industries. Thank you! This will bring new development opportunities for new energy and its related industries. On one hand, it continuously injects new momentum into the new energy industry itself, guiding and driving the construction of projects such as new energy bases in desert-Gobi-wasteland areas, new-type integrated hydro-wind-solar energy bases, offshore wind power clusters, PV and wind power in mining areas, and smart microgrids. On the other hand, it creates broad markets and new growth points for related industries such as new-type energy storage, hydrogen energy production-storage-transportation-utilization, and new energy heavy-duty trucks, promoting the formation of a new green growth model where new energy development drives the common development of multiple industries. Thank you!

[SMM Hot Topic: From "Scale" to "Quality" – The Shift and Restructuring of Traditional Construction Steel Demand] From 2026 to 2030, the domestic demographic dividend will gradually shrink, and the era of rapid growth in the real estate industry will come to an end, with the industry's development logic shifting from scale expansion to quality improvement.