coal use for energy releases GHG emissions. if you only count to cost of buying coal for energy coal continues to be more expensive (LCOE) to generate electricity than renewable energy. add in the costs incurred by GW (scope 3 emissions) and coal becomes prohibitively expensive. this is the only that nuclear can be seen as cheaper than coal.
renewable energy sources can become (will become) reliable with appropriate large scale energy storage. pumped hydro is best for this though its expensive and difficult to build.
as for China they will do what they like. I researched your claim and yes, you're correct, China has recently abandoned it pledge and is applying to build new coal generation plants. this a tragic fail by China. but this doesn't mean we (Aus) should abandon our efforts to reduce emissions.
