Obama’s orders have the force of law, and have effectively banned all new coal plant construction in the United States until rescinded, since CCS systems do not yet exist which can compete economically. That’s a measure which China has not even considered in passing. Then there is the Clean Power Plan which is going to mandate a reduction in GHG emissions by 2.1 to 4.3% (depending upon the interconnection an existing plant lies within). Those are pretty serious regulations.
China has no regulations from that proposal in place, and until it actually is in place the US is far in the lead here over China. China has 272-363 GW of new coal power plants which are proposed or under construction (depending on whose figures you believe). The US has pretty much 0, thanks to Obama’s new power plant carbon emissions standards. Effectively, we can only build CCGTs or very, very efficient CTs in the fossil world.
Well an important thing to note is Obama’s orders last only as long as no other Chief Executive rescinds them. President Trump will be certain to get rid of them.