Name? Xi Jinping
Westphalian identity? Chinese
Age? 68
Why is he in the news? A few weeks ago we celebrated President Xi for his climate leadership, but we may have popped the champagne too early. China is currently experiencing massive power shortages. The reasons why, Forbes explained best and we are not too proud to admit it: “Flooding across China’s key coal-producing provinces, resurgent demand for Chinese goods, conflicting CCP energy policies, and extreme market distortions, including power rationing and price controls, have all contributed to the energy shortage.” This left supply chains disrupted and people cold in their homes, not a fun time for President Xi or the world as a global energy crisis is emerging.
Why do we care? Because we care about our Christmas presents arriving on time and further supply chain disruptions are not helping. Oh, another factor is global warming. Europe and China are currently experiencing what it means to reduce carbon emissions drastically. Our only hope is that it won’t discourage them from trying.
Why should you care? Hello?! Did you not read the previous paragraph? You should care 10/10 about our personal comfort and Christmas presents. Oh, and of course you should care 8/10 about global warming, you know, the usual.
Who else cares? Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. He has had a few years of conflict with Xi over a number of issues. Whether it is China’s activities in the South China Sea to which Morrison is responding with AUKUS or his support for Hong Kong. The two of them really do not get along, which minimises Australia’s coal exports to China, something Xi could really use at the moment.
Any further comments? Similarly to Europe, someone who has the power to at least ease Xi’s crisis is Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin’s gas won’t replace China’s hunger for coal, but can at least ease the situation.
