China uses more energy than America

China has overtaken the US as the world's largest user of energy, according to experts at the International Energy Agency.

The Paris-based forum said China's 2009 consumption of energy sources ranging from oil and coal to wind and solar power was equal to 2.265bn tons of oil, compared with 2.169bn tons used that year by the US.

The shift is historic, coming years ahead of forecasts. In climate change talks, China has long pointed fingers at the energy consumption patterns of developed nations.

China is also sensitive to complaints about its status as the world's biggest polluter and suggestions its demand is pushing up global energy prices.