But just as with the “nose swab” economy that developed during the COVID era, there is also the problem of bureaucratic inertia. This in no way detracts from the positives of what is happening—the China system is absolutely right to build out renewable energy capacity, and the super high tension transmission network that can transport electricity over huge distances. But, says the SCMP, “China wasted enough wind and solar power in the first half of this year to cover all new electricity demand” due to bottlenecks in grid absorption. Another grid problem, fundamentally systemic in nature, is the continuing expansion of coal-fired generation ahead of the 2030 carbon deadline. But one way or the other solar is going to overtake fossil fuels in China far faster than it will in the US.