https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2026/1019/c95952-20509960.html
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Development and Reform Commission issued a joint notice approving the implementation of demonstration projects for the comprehensive utilization of hydrogen energy across five urban clusters. The demonstration period is set for four years.
The notice states that, following a rigorous selection process—including document reviews, expert evaluations, and in-person presentations—the following five urban clusters have been approved in principle to carry out these demonstration projects:
- the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster;
- the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (comprising nine cities—Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and Jiangmen—along with the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions);
- the Northeast region (including the eastern part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) combined with the Yangtze River Delta;
- the Xinjiang–Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone; and
- the Yellow River Bend–Central Plains region.
The three government departments will monitor and provide guidance on the progress of these projects, while also conducting periodic evaluations and reviews. The results of these assessments will serve as the basis for the central government to allocate incentive funding to the participating urban clusters.
The notice calls on all cities participating in the demonstration projects to promptly advance and implement initiatives across four key areas:
- research and development of hydrogen energy technologies and equipment;
- the deployment of hydrogen energy projects within industrial sectors;
- the promotion and adoption of fuel-cell vehicles; and
- the construction of hydrogen refueling stations.
Furthermore, it calls for the development of a comprehensive industrial and supply chain to facilitate smooth domestic circulation while preventing and overcoming local protectionism; the rational allocation and construction of key projects to highlight the unique characteristics and synergies of various urban clusters; the establishment of robust safety management systems with clearly defined areas of responsibility; and the timely evaluation of the economic, social, and ecological impacts of pilot projects.