Coal-based chemical sector to grow rapidly

State Councilor Hua Jianmin (center) pays a visit to the first China (Taiyuan) International Coal & Energy New Industry Expo yesterday. Guo Yingguang

"Our land is China's Middle East. We have heaven's blessings," said Ling Zhengce, director of the Development and Reform Commission of Shanxi Province, China's largest coal-mining base.

In an interview with China Daily during the seminar session of China (Taiyuan) International Coal & Energy New Industry Expo 2007, the province's leading economic planner said Shanxi will continue to serve as China's major energy supplier for the next 30 or more years.

Shanxi Province yields 580 million tons of coal every year, or 75 percent of China's cross-province shipments of coal.