The major obstacles to current development of clean coal technologies (CCT) are investigated, based on study of current laws, regulations and policies which have been used to accelerate CCT development in China, evaluation of implementation of these regulations, policies and economic incentives, and comparison between Chinese and foreign experiences. The evaluation of available clean coal technologies is conducted in four areas, i.e. power sector, industrial boiler, chemical production and fuel oil substitution and household use. In addition, clean coal technologies and the development plans suitable for the Chinese situation are suggested. Finally, based on technical and economic evaluation, policy and countermeasure recommendations on development of Chinese clean coal technology are made. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All lights reserved.