China discovered a total of 124 new mineral deposits in 2023, marking significant progress in both oil, gas and mineral exploration, according to a report released by the Ministry of Natural Resources on Tuesday.
According to the report "China Mineral Resources 2024", by the end of 2023 China's coal reserves increased by 5.6 percent compared to the end of 2022, and the remaining technically recoverable reserves of oil and natural gas increased by 1.2 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively.
The reserves of metal minerals increased by more than 30 percent, and the reserves of nonmetallic minerals also increased significantly, said the report.
The report highlighted major breakthroughs in oil and gas exploration within large basins such as the Tarim Oilfield, the Junggar Basin and the Bohai Oilfield. Notable progress has also been made in the exploration of minerals such as coal, copper, gold, lithium and phosphorus.
"China's investment in mineral exploration has seen growth for three consecutive years, discovering 124 new mineral deposits in 2023. The country's supply of major mineral products increased steadily, energy output hit a record high, and the energy structure continued to optimize," said Yu Haiyang, director of the Strategic Planning Division of the ministry's Mineral Resources Protection and Supervision Department.
China discovers 124 new mineral deposits in 2023: report
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Wednesday in Beijing with Nauruan Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea, who came to China for the opening ceremony of the Nauru Embassy in China.
Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nauru, both sides have fostered mutual understanding and support, while the pragmatic cooperation has developed comprehensively, bringing tangible benefits to the people of Nauru.
China appreciates Nauru's firm adherence to the one-China policy and believes that Nauru will continue to support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, thus consolidating the political foundation of bilateral relations, Wang said.
China is willing to deepen cooperation with Nauru in various fields including agriculture and fisheries, sports, marine development, climate change response, and capacity building, Wang said, adding that China congratulates Nauru on the upcoming official opening of its embassy in China and is willing to provide conveniences and assistance for the embassy's operation.
Aingimea, for his part, said that Nauru sincerely thanks China for the valuable assistance provided in infrastructure construction and socio-economic development, which helps improve people's livelihood and sustainable development of Nauru.
Nauru will not waver in its stance of adhering to the one-China principle and looks forward to expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields and pushing bilateral relations to a new level, Aingimea added.
Chinese FM meets Nauruan counterpart
