Given the current state of Chinese domestic demand and supply,  exports in the bio-based sector have generally been in the realm of technology, and a growing but non-transformative trade in food/energy feedstock out of Southeast Asia – such as the rising demand for palm oil and cassava. But, when China’s demand doubles, no one expects that Chinese, or even Southeast Asian, supply could keep up. It’s that “second China” of demand that is likely to drive a robust global bioenergy trade. Will the trade take the form of exported finished fuels and materials to China, or raw materials for China-based biorefining? It’s more cost effective to ship finished product than raw material, but China’s advantages in manufacturing costs may well offset that. Likely, expect that a lot of refining capacity will be built in China. As a trend-sign, Ernst & Young last September named China “the most attractive country for renewable investment,” after dropping the US back over its continuing policy muddle.
http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2011/07/05/the-rising-tigers-of-the-china-bioenergy-trade/