From the editor: Why we went to China

At the moment, when Texans — and the world — think of China, it’s probably because of the rising threat of the coronavirus. But last fall, when we decided to send energy reporter James Osborne to the Far East, we had the Lone Star State’s economy on our minds.

Companies based in Texas have placed huge bets on the promise of the Chinese economy, a massive emerging market for agricultural and energy products. It’s already the Gulf Coast region’s second-largest trading partner, and energy

companies, in particular, are counting on more and bigger deals as the country’s middle class expands.

Osborne has been the Houston Chronicle’s Washington energy reporter since 2016. He spent three years before that covering energy and fracking for the Dallas Morning News. He pitched this series, “Rising Star,” because he’s committed to doing what it takes to explain the sprawling impact of the energy industry on the Texas economy. His two-week trip in November produced some surprises for him and some questions about whether Chinese economic growth will justify the faith that Texas business leaders have placed in it.

This effort is part of our commitment to our readers. Your support allows us to travel, to research, to ask the tough questions. We’ll publish “Rising Star” Sunday-Tuesday in print and on our subscriber website, houstonchronicle.com. Tweet us @houstonchron with comments or questions for Osborne about China.

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