Limits to China's Growth Imminent....

Severe shortages of energy are developing and will become critical over the next 5 years.

China is expected to consume 2.2 billion tons of coal a year by 2010, resulting in a shortage of 330 million tons a year, the China Daily reported Wednesday.

By 2010, output is expected to rise to 1.87 billion tons a year, far below the projected level of consumption, he said.

Obviously, shortages can be met by increasing imports.

a recent projection by the US-based Rand Corp that China will depend on imports for 60 percent of its oil supply and 30 percent of its natural gas by 2020.

China is the world's second-largest importer of crude oil after the United States.

These are staggering numbers and it will be interesting to see if they can continue to run current and power up new factories over the next 5 years.

And also don't forget the 5,000 or so people that lose their lives in coal mining accidents every year in China.