China’s Annual Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 16th-18th. The conference set out key tasks for the next year. Preparing the work for the planned carbon peak but also carbon neutrality are among these tasks. The conference pointed out that China is striving to reach a carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. The urgent development of an action plan to reach these two goals has been underlined. Furthermore, it was stressed, that the adjustment and optimization of industrial structure, energy structure, promotion of the early peak of coal consumption, the vigorous development of new energy, construction of the national energy rights, carbon emissions trading market, and improvement of the dual control of energy consumption should be accelerated.
Ministry of Transport releases action plan to strengthen multimodal freight transport
On 29 September 2026, the Ministry of Transport, together with 11 other government departments and the China State Railway Group, issued the “Action Plan for Promoting High-Quality Development of Multimodal Transport and Optimizing the Transport Structure” (2026–2030). By 2030, the plan aims to improve links between railways, ports, inland terminals, logistics parks and industrial zones, strengthening multimodal freight services. Targets include an 80% railway connection rate in multimodal transport areas at coastal ports and more than 90% of freight transfers at key hubs completed within one hour. It also promotes shifts of suitable bulk freight from road to rail and water. For key industries, the plan targets an 85% share of clean transport.
