China and the United States are the world’s two largest coal producing economies and account together for more than 60 percent of global coal consumption.

While many export applications await approval to ship U.S. gas abroad, Washington should prioritize exporting the technology and expertise needed to responsibly replicate American shale success in other parts of the world.

Domestic politics have stifled how the United States and China handle energy investment from one another. As the dynamics of the U.S. and Chinese energy sectors change, new opportunities for cooperation will arise.

To successfully meet China's goals of capping coal production and consumption, Beijing must pursue reforms in how energy data is reported. Statistical reporting should be done independent of local government officials to insure more accurate results.

Chinese coal emissions are a major contributor to climate change. Although the Chinese government has pledged to cap coal production and consumption by 2015, more effective policies are needed to reduce the use of coal in the country.

It is time to move the global climate agenda forward by exploring alternative platforms for collaboration.

With UN climate talks seemingly losing momentum, China should step up domestic mitigation ambitions, not least because they serve the country’s own interests.

Chinese nuclear companies should explore overseas project opportunities by teaming up with leading international players.

As China’s quest for natural resources grows more urgent, the country’s State Owned Enterprises are evolving their foreign investment strategy and expanding their geographical horizons.

It is important to identify solutions to improve efficiency of the coal value chain, from mining and transport to end use, and to reduce coal’s impacts on the environment.