This study looked at why energy use in China's industries increased instead of dropping over time. They analyzed data from various industrial sectors, like steel and cement, to see how different factors affect energy efficiency. The researchers found that investing in new technology can help save energy in sectors that use a lot of it. Changes in how companies are owned also affect energy use. The shift towards exporting energy-heavy goods can make China use more energy overall. The results suggest that using more electricity and oil, and adjusting the energy prices, can help lower energy use in industries. The study recommends different strategies for different types of industries, like focusing on new tech for high-energy sectors and using better energy-saving equipment for textile industries.