Why did the Pidgeon process become economically important in China?

The Pidgeon process became economically important in China primarily due to the country's specific economic conditions in the early 21st century.1

Although the Pidgeon process is generally less efficient than electrolysis, it became a viable industrial choice in China because of the low cost of labor and energy available there. These favorable cost factors allowed the thermal reduction method to compete effectively, eventually leading China to emerge as the world’s leading producer of magnesium.12