A future in which coal does not rule the roost possible

Wearing a safety helmet and dressed as a coal miner, Premier Li Keqiang spent two hours in a coal mine 7, 000 meters below the ground with workers during his first inspection tour of 2016 in North China's Shanxi province, which boasts of a large coal reserve but faces economic problems because of overcapacity.

Apart from super vising work safety, Li also encouraged the coalminers, who are exposed to risks and disasters. The premier's bold gesture should herald the much-needed change in the industry.

I spent a few hours in a coal mine in a neighboring province 10 years ago. My visit to the coal mine was preceded by a deadly accident in a near by mine, and the report I filed focused on the hardships the miners had to endure in the dark tunnels.