The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C., is a leading graduate school of international affairs, educating students for professional careers in government, business, journalism, international law and non-profit organizations. Founded in 1943 by Paul Nitze and Christian Herter, SAIS has been a division of The Johns Hopkins University since 1950.

The Energy, Resources and Environment (ERE) Program at SAIS provides students with an interdisciplinary curriculum n international policy and an analysis of the energy, resources and environment sectors, integrating economics, political science, law and other academic disciplines. The program provides a forum for students to examine policy not only in the abstract but as it is created and implemented in particular institutional settings.

© 2011 JHU - SAIS

SAIS Energy, Resources & Environment Program

As China continues to rapidly industrialize and urbanize, it must meet an ever-increasing demand for energy. In doing so, the country has embarked on a path of energy consumption fast becoming unsustainable in terms of energy supply, energy security, and environmental impact.

Under the direction of Professor Bo Kong, a team of SAIS students traveled to China to gain first-hand knowledge of how the Chinese political system tackles complex energy policy problems in the era of reform and globalization. The trip was an integral part of a seminar course helping students to gather information for their cutting-edge research on the topic.

Through meetings with national and local officials, renewable technology manufacturers, automakers, and other actors in the energy sector, the students enhanced their understanding of China’s opportunities and challenges in the areas of electric vehicles, renewable power, clean coal technologies, and local energy governance. Organizations visited include the . A detailed itinerary of the trip can be found in the Places section.

Organizations visited include NDRC Energy Research Institute, Goldwind, Suntech, ExxonMobil, GE, Shanghai GM and Veolia. The trip took place on March 13-20, 2010. A detailed itinerary of the trip can be found in the Places section.

This site synthesizes the students' insights from the trip and offers additional resources for those interested in China's energy challenges, including links to relevant organizations.

This research trip was made possible by the generous support of ExxonMobil.