China has a vast territory and rich mineral resources. It is among the few countries in the world that abound in mineral resources and varieties. By the year 2002, there 157 confirmed minerals, some of which are found in China alone.

Chinese output of coal, the main energy resources, ranks first in the world, amounting to 30% of the world total. The chief coal mines are located in Kailuan, Datong, Yangquan, Huainan, etc.

China is also rich in oil and natural gas. Oilfields on land are mainly distributed in Northeast, North and Northwest China, such as Daqing, Shengli, Liaohe, Karamay and Tarim oilfields. Among them, the Daqing Oilfield is the biggest one in China. Apart from these, the offshore area also abounds in oil and natural gas.

China abounds in various nonferrous metals, too. Its reserves of tungsten, tin, stibium, zinc, titanium, lithium and so on rank first in the world.

In terms of total reserves, China is rich in resources and takes third place in the world resources reservoir. But owing to its large poplulation, the reserve per capita ranks only 53rd in the world.