Foreign investors zero in on Chinese coal

In view of its huge development potential, more and more foreign companies have been showing a keen interest in entering China's coal industry.

At the China (Taiyuan) International Coal & Energy New Industries Expo 2007, many foreign companies and financial institutions have showed their projects and objectives in the nation.

Some ventures were set up to develop Shanxi's coalmines.

Apart from the upstream coal production business, foreign companies have also shown interest in downstream works like the coal-to-chemical business.

China's increased emphasis on energy conservation and environmental protection provides many foreign companies with the opportunity to bring their advanced technologies and solutions to the nation, said William Mark Hart, president of the Canada-based West Hawk, at the expo.