Dongmei Chen

Research Fellow

  • Primary Program Markets and Industrial Development
  • Research Interests Energy governance, transport policy and industrial energy productivity analysis

Biography

Dongmei is a research fellow with more than 20 years of professional experience on China’s energy and climate change policy development. At the Center, she carries out research on China and has contributed to workshop briefs. Previously she worked in a state-owned company, and in government and non-government agencies. As a senior adviser and head of IIP’s China office, she engaged with Chinese industrial stakeholders for best practice development and dissemination. As director of the WWF China Climate Change and Energy Program, she designed the Low Carbon City Initiative in partnership with local governments and international networks. Dongmei also engaged in the study and discussion on renewable energy and coal policy in China.

Publications

See all Dongmei’s publications
  • Discussion papers
  • Instant Insights
  • External journal articles
China’s Energy Investment Through the Lens of the Belt and Road Initiative

China’s Energy Investment Through the Lens of the Belt and Road Initiative

The Chinese government launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013 as a vision to promote growth and cooperation among the economies of Asia and Europe. Over the five years since its inception, the BRI has expanded in both geographic and strategic scope. As of early 2019, 141 countries and 29 international organizations have joined the initiative, which has broadened from targeting infrastructure connectivity and logistics to wider goals of unimpeded trade, financial integration, policy coordination and  people-to-people bonds. Thousands of BRI projects have already been approved, with a total investment potential of $1.2-1.3 trillion by 2027 (IDSA 2019, Morgan Stanley 2018). 

January 12, 2020
Energy Governance in China: The Structures and Processes of Government Decision-Making

Energy Governance in China: The Structures and Processes of Government Decision-Making

This paper describes the current governance structure of China’s energy sector. The interplay between central government, the Communist Party, regional governments and key economic actors within the framework of China’s five-year planning processes are complex and constantly evolving. As such, the structure and processes for energy governance are similarly complex. The oversight and process for governing China’s energy sector will continue to change as the country transitions from an emerging to a mature economy. This paper provides an overview of how key decisions in the energy sector are currently made, implemented and monitored in China as the country is consolidating its policy and decision making processes. The paper’s aim is to provide insights for those outside China who wish to better understand Chinese energy governance, from policymakers, researchers and academics, to diplomats, or corporations wishing to invest in the country.

May 14, 2019
The Impacts of Industrialization on Freight Movement in China

The Impacts of Industrialization on Freight Movement in China

China’s rapid economic growth has enabled the fast development of freight transport across the country. What might the impact of future economic growth be on freight movement in China? To answer this question, this paper establishes the link between key indicators of industrialization and freight transport through the use of a dynamic vector autoregressive model. Based on the analysis of two different scenarios, the study finds that: China’s freight turnover could double out to 2030 if the country remains at the later stages of industrialization. China could reduce the volume of its freight transport by transforming its process of industrialization through coordinated urban planning, new materials, developing high-tech industries and expanding the service sector. Together, these measures could see freight transport drop by 2.6 trillion tonne-kilometer, 6% less than under the business-as-usual model. Changes to the country’s economic structure may also lead to structural changes in modes of freight transportation, including an increased share for rail, the growing use of automotive transportation, and the increased use of containers in an integrated freight transport system.

May 9, 2019
Deepening Cooperation Between Saudi Arabia and China

Deepening Cooperation Between Saudi Arabia and China

In recent decades China and Saudi Arabia have gradually deepened their collaboration in many areas. Five indicators are used to assess the overall progress of the two countries’ collaboration and to help form recommendations for ways to improve the integration between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Saudi Vision 2030. The strategic partnership between China and Saudi Arabia has presented opportunities for a new level of collaboration at a time when both countries are seeking economic transformation and sustainable growth. This discussion paper shows that: A structured policy coordination framework has facilitated cooperation in building local industries and constructing new cities in Saudi Arabia. Despite the progress made to date, significant gains can still be achieved by lowering trade barriers and improving the bilateral coordination of national regulations, planning, and investment. Total investment flows between China and Saudi Arabia increased more than twentyfold from 2005- 2015. Opening up the domestic market in both countries and increasing Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) related investments may help deal with challenges in the global investment environment and improve the alignment of domestic development goals. Establishing new financial instruments that build on the existing networks and a potential arrangement of Chinese yuan settlement can increase investment flows. From 2011-2016, there was a 50% increase in Chinese citizens working in the Kingdom and over 1,000 Saudi students were studying in China each year — an exchange of human capital that has benefited both countries. Three strategic areas are identified for deeper cooperation: Extending energy cooperation from traditional oil and gas to new low carbon technologies. Integrating petrochemical industry development across the value chain. Building local strength in industrial capacity by capturing the market potential of new construction. This paper also identifies five steps that could enhance the existing model of collaboration: defining a bridging strategy, building capacity, establishing a free trade agreement, encouraging a new partnership for financing, and building a joint research platform for energy collaboration.

March 27, 2019
Toward Economic Prosperity Through Industrial Energy Productivity Improvement

Toward Economic Prosperity Through Industrial Energy Productivity Improvement

In this report, we explore the main trends and policies that relate to industrial energy productivity in China and Saudi Arabia, focusing on energy efficiency, structural economic reform, industrial upgrading and energy pricing. Our objective is to increase shared understanding on these issues as both countries deepen their engagement as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

February 19, 2018
Assessment of Coronavirus Effects on Oil Demand Implied by Price Elasticities

Assessment of Coronavirus Effects on Oil Demand Implied by Price Elasticities

There appears to be a significant response in the crude oil markets to the coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has since spread globally. Many cities in Hubei, of which Wuhan is the capital, have been quarantined, with many airlines suspending flights to mainland China.

February 20, 2020
The Impact of China’s Oil Cap Pathway on Saudi Arabia’s Economic Transition

The Impact of China’s Oil Cap Pathway on Saudi Arabia’s Economic Transition

On October 15, several leading Chinese research institutes released a joint study, “Research on China’s Oil Consumption Peak and Cap Plan” (ERI 2019). It analyzes China’s future oil demand and the policy instruments it could use to cap its use of oil. The latter would help China to manage domestic environmental pollution and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (°C) above pre-industrial levels.

December 23, 2019
Achieving growth in Saudi Arabia and China through joint leadership on industrial energy productivity

Achieving growth in Saudi Arabia and China through joint leadership on industrial energy productivity

IPEEC Bulletin

2017
China’s Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Administration Structure and the Development of Cement and MSW Co-processing (in Chinese)

China’s Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Administration Structure and the Development of Cement and MSW Co-processing (in Chinese)

China Cement

2013
Integrate the Energy Efficiency Target with Climate Actions (Chinese)

Integrate the Energy Efficiency Target with Climate Actions (Chinese)

Energy Policy Study

2009
Climate Solutions-WWF’s Climate Vision for 2050

Climate Solutions-WWF’s Climate Vision for 2050

2007
the Practice of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project Development in Guangdong Honghaiwan Wind Farm (in Chinese)

the Practice of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project Development in Guangdong Honghaiwan Wind Farm (in Chinese)

China Electric Power

2005

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Deepening Sino-Saudi Cooperation: Policy Framework and…

This workshop’s objective is to support deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia, China and the international community on how to create higher value from the energy transition and industrial upgrading. The one-day event will aim to improve understanding of the key issues that have been identified in the course of research on China’s Belt and Road initiative […]

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