New China energy book

'Energy Policy and Regulation in the People's Republic of China' by Philip Andrews-Speed has been published recently by Kluwer Law International and draws on Philip's experience of China's energy sector since 1990.

Philip spent four years in a multi-national oil company in China, and since joining CEPMLP in 1994 he has been able to examine a wide variety of issues ranging from the dynamics of policy-making, to the social impact of policy decisions and the international dimensions of China's energy policy.

The timing of this publication has coincided with a surge of awareness around the world that China's energy is now a global concern. Last year it became the second largest oil consumer in the world after the USA and so China’s demand will have an increasing influence in oil prices. The nation's consumption of coal has also reached new peaks with direct consequences for global warming and regional air pollution.

This book draws together the achievements of CEPMLP's China Programme over the last ten years which involved a number of academics from the Centre, from other departments of the University as well as from research institutions in China and mainland Europe. Individual research and advisory projects have been funded by such organisations as the European Commission, China's State Planning Commission, the Nuffield Foundation, the British Academy and the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The research which is attracting most attention at present lies at the interface of energy policy and international relations, in particular the challenge of how to build regional energy cooperation in East Asia.

Dr Janet Liao, a Chinese political scientist, arrived at CEPMLP four years ago after spells in Japan and Hong Kong and has played a key role in developing this research activity. CEPMLP has recently carried out a project on this subject for Japan’s Ministry of Economics Trade and Industry.