BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Solar panels held by a formation of energy workers at the National Day parade on Thursday demonstrated China's determination to shift to renewable energy in handling climate change.

    Surrounded by energy workers, a float carrying the sculptures of windmills and oil reserve containers, as well as a banner reading "Striving to develop clean energy," moving past Tian'anmen Square at the magnificent pageant marking New China's 60th anniversary of founding.

The float expressing "energy sources development" takes part in a parade of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, on Chang'an Street in central Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Photo Gallery>>>

    As the world's top energy producer and second largest consumer, it takes several decades for China to rely on its own energy supply to power the double-digit growth of the world's third largest economy.

    China is the world's top coal maker and the fifth largest crude oil producer.

    As the global efforts on cutting greenhouse gas emissions has never been so urgent, China realized that to solely rely on fossil fuel will hardly sustain its rocketing economic growth.

    On Sept. 22, President Hu promised at the United Nations General Assembly to vigorously develop renewable energy and nuclear energy, and to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy use to around 15 percent by 2020.

    Over the past decades, changes have already taken place.

    Of the total energy use, China's coal consumption has been lowered from 96 percent in 1952 to 68 percent last year. The use of hydro, nuclear and wind power was raised from 1.61 percent to 9.5 percent.

    The nation boasts Asia's biggest wind power turbine engine, and some 9,100 megawatts of nuclear energy capacity. It has approved the construction of additional reactors to increase output to 32,000 megawatts.

    To save fuel, China's pioneering automaker BYD began selling the world's first plug-in hybrid vehicle in December last year and plans to make it to the European and North American markets.

    Official data showed China cut its energy consumption per unit of GDP by 10.1 percent from 2006 to 2008, which means it saved 300million tonnes of standard coal and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 750 million tonnes.

    China reported a drop of 3.35 percent of energy consumption per unit of GDP in the first half of this year from the same period a year ago, laying the foundations for a 20 percent cut by 2010 from the level in 2005.

Float demonstrates Chinese cultural prosperity

    BEIJING, Oct.1 (Xinhua) -- A float with a shining fan-shaped picture of traditional Peking opera performer on a civilian parade formation showcased Chinese cultural prosperity since the founding of the People's Republic of China six decades ago.

    Paraders dressed in long-sleeved shirts and white pants marched past the Tian'anmen Rostrum. A banner on the float reads "promoting the socialist cultural development and prosperity". Full story

China National Day parade highlights sci-tech accomplishments

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China highlighted its achievements in the science and technology fields Thursday during the grand celebrations of the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic.

    A float representing the high-tech sector pulled into the Tian'anmen Square in the heart of Beijing, carrying a large television screen that showcased the country's progress in science and technology. Full story

"EARTH" T-shirt spells out China's green drive at National Day parade

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The word of "EARTH" printed on the T-shirts worn by the paraders of the environment formation were among a few English letters shown at New China's 60-year birthday pageant.

    They underscored China's resolution to cut pollution and protect ecological environment as it saw severe environmental degradation from years of double-digit economic expansion. Full story

Jumbo jet, high-speed train show "China drive" at National Day parade

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's fast changing transportation system could not be better reflected in its homegrown high-speed trains and jumbo jets project, as their sculptures were displayed on a float moving through the crowds Thursday morning at a pageant marking the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic.

    Sculptures of trains, airplanes and automobiles are placed on a model of multi-layer overpass, which signals China's capability of making the most leading transportation tools and its position as having the world's second longest highway after the United States. Full story

Float depicts China's rural transformation at National Day parade

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Jubilant Chinese farmers performed folk dance on a float moving past Tian'anmen Square Thursday morning, revealing their rejoice at New China's grandest National Day parade.

    With a theme of "Constructing the socialist new countryside", the float was surrounded by farmer representatives wearing colorful folk clothes and waving wheatears. Full story

Special Report: 60th Anniversary of Founding of PRC