Economic slide and stubbornly low crude oil prices puts in question China’s planned ‘golden age of gas’.

Economic slide and stubbornly low crude oil prices puts in question China’s planned ‘golden age of gas’.

The United States hopes to mediate China’s dispute with Japan over the East China Sea.
![US Vice President Joe Biden is attempting to ease tensions in the dispute between China and Japan [AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/201312564137748734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Experts say the country’s efforts to use coal in synthetic gas production is likely to cause an ecological disaster.
![China is shutting down coal-fired plants, but investment in SNG technology brings new environmental dangers [EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/20131125111833596734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Stalled decade-long negotiations with Russia have led China to go energy shopping around the Caspian Sea.
![China has purchased a stake in Kazakhstan's Kashagan oil field in the Caspian Sea [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/201310782032556734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
State-owned media has attacked the core of the tech giant, worrying other foreign companies operating in the country.

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea likely to escalate after Beijing’s recent expansion of deepwater assets.

Launch of new weekly is latest in Beijing’s efforts to make inroads into continent with significant business interests.

With the US achieving greater energy independence through ‘fracking’, Beijing is eyeing its own gas reserves to exploit.
