Full Text: China's Energy Conditions
and Policies
BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's Information Office of
the State Council issued the country's first ever white paper on its energy
conditions and policies here on Wednesday.
The 16,000-word paper comprises 10 chapters: the
preface; Current situation of energy development; Strategy and goals of energy
development; All-round promotion of energy conservation; Improving the energy
supply capacity; Accelerating the progress of energy technologies; Coordinating
energy and environment development; Deepening energy system reform; and
Strengthening international cooperation in the field of energy; conclusion.
"China's energy development emphasizes thrift,
cleanness and safety," says the white paper titled "China's Energy Conditions
and Policies".
The basic themes of China's energy strategy give
priority to thrift, relying on domestic resources, encouraging diverse patterns
of development, relying on science and technology, protecting the environment,
and increasing international cooperation for mutual benefit, the paper says.
China's energy resources abound. However, with a
large population, the per-capita average of energy resources is very low, it
says.
According to the white paper, the per-capita average
of both coal and hydropower resources in China is 50 percent of the world's
average, while the per-capita average of both oil and natural gas resources is
only about 1/15 the world's average. The per-capita average of arable land is
less than 30 percent of the world's average, something which has hindered the
development of biomass energy.
"For a long time China has relied largely on domestic
energy resources to develop its economy. The rate of self-sufficiency has been
above 90 percent, much higher than that in most developed countries," the paper
says.
It says China's energy-saving effects are
conspicuous. During the period 1980-2006, the country's energy consumption
increased 5.6 percent annually, boosting the 9.8 percent annual growth of the
national economy.
China is accelerating its development of a modern
energy industry, taking resource conservation and environmental protection as
two basic state policies, the paper says.
"China's energy development will make positive
contributions to the world's energy security and stability," the white paper
emphasizes.
As the world's second biggest energy producer, the
paper says, China has a relatively strong foundation for energy production and
supply.
The paper says China is a responsible developing
country and it attaches great importance to environmental protection and
prevention of global climate change.
To coordinate energy and environmental development,
the paper says, China will make great efforts to control greenhouse gas
emissions, fight ecological destruction and environmental pollution, prevent
motor vehicle emission pollution and exercise strict environmental management of
energy projects.
It will also push forward structural adjustment,
improve energy conservation in industry, launch energy-saving projects and
advocate energy conservation in society in effort to promote all-round energy
conservation.
"China gives top priority to developing renewable
energy," the paper says.
It adds the country will also develop the coal
industry in an orderly way, actively developing electric power, expediting the
development of oil and gas and improving energy development in rural areas.
China to push forward energy price
reform
BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- China will proceed with
energy price reform in "a vigorous and steady way," says a white paper published
on Wednesday by the Information Office of the State Council. Full story
China encourages more foreign
investment in energy development
BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- China will encourage foreign
investment in its energy sector and will continue to improve the environment for
such investment, says a white paper published on Wednesday by the Information
Office of the State Council. Full story
China vows to make positive
contributions to world's energy security
BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- China will maintain its
sustainable energy development and make positive contributions to global energy
security, says a white paper published on Wednesday by the Information Office of
the State Council. Full story
China urges settlement of energy
disputes through dialogue and consultation
BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- China urged in its first-ever
white paper on energy conditions and policies, released on Wednesday, that
countries should settle disputes and resolve contradictions in the energy field
through dialogue and consultation. Full story
