The uneven nature of economic activity in turn makes it a challenge to assess the likely toll on emissions in the world's largest polluter.
RIPPLE EFFECTIn addition to retail sales and factory output data, statistics on China's air travel volumes also offer a gauge on broader economic activity and emissions potential.
In turn, greater emissions from both the airlines themselves as well as from China's world-leading refining sector can also be expected.
China’s exports of an array of goods – from toys to diesel – are risingThe pace of some of those exports may slow over the near term if China's domestic demand improves and helps tighten producer inventories.
But if greater output in China helps to depress goods prices, then international consumer demand can be expected to recover, which may further boost China's economic recovery, as well as the emissions that go with it.
Persons:
Thomas Peter, Gavin Maguire, Kim Coghill
Organizations:
REUTERS, National Energy Administration, Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
Wu'an, Hebei province, China, LITTLETON , Colorado, Beijing