Int'l energy conference features China Day
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-06-04 10:56

The ongoing international renewable energy conference devoted a day to introducing China's measures and achievements in promoting the use of renewable energies on Wednesday with a special "China Day" session.

The Chinese government has all along supported the development and utilization of renewable energies, Zhang Guobao, vice-chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission, told the session.

Renewable energies accounted for 20 percent of energy consumption in China in 2003 and China is a leading country globally both in terms of the total amount of renewable energy produced and its proportion to all energy consumed, Zhang said.

China is working on a law on renewable energies and a strategic program to boost the development of renewable energies, Zhang added.

"The Chinese government is ready to work with the international community to propel the commercialization and broader use of renewable energies," he said.

UN Under-Secretary-General Jose Antonio Ocampo applauded China's progress in developing renewable energies but said China is also facing big challenges.

"China has a tremendous potential in renewable energies. The United Nations and China are cooperating closely in this field," Ocampo said.

German Environment Minister Juergen Trittin said China has played a progressive role in developing renewable energies and is committed to combining economic growth with sustainable development.

"China delivered a major proposal on developing renewable energies at the conference, which will contribute to the success of the conference," Trittin said, adding that Germany is ready to deepen the cooperation with China in developing renewable energies.

Christopher Flavin, president of the Worldwatch Institute, said China's energy policy has a big influence on the world and the country needs to boost the use of renewable energies to sustain its continuous rapid economic growth.

The four-day conference, which is hosted by Germany and concludes on Friday, is expected to produce a detailed action plan on boosting the use of renewable energies worldwide.

Close