China will step up cooperation and exchanges with international communities on environmental issues and adhere to sustainable industrialization practices to achieve co-ordinated development of man and nature.

That statement was made by Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan during a speech at the annual meeting of the China Council for International Cooperation on the Environment and Development which closed in Beijing over the weekend.

Established in 1992, the council is an advisory body to further strengthen cooperation and exchanges between China and the world in environmental and development fields.

The vice-premier, who is the council's chairman, said China is determined to deal with environmental problems, and added it will discard traditional development modes that soak up resources and destroy nature.

He said choices would be made to use sustainable industrialization, characterized by advanced science and technology, high economic benefits, low consumption of resources, reduced pollution and efficient use of labor forces.

Zeng emphasized the importance of international co-operation in resolving environmental issues, and said resolving issues increasingly depends on rational utilization of worldwide resources.

As a responsible country, China is ready to contribute in this regard, he added.

Zeng also urged developed countries to shoulder more responsibility for global environmental protection while developing countries should strive for the quality of their economic growth.

A reasonable transfer mechanism for environmental technologies should be established while paying attention to protection of intellectual property rights, Zeng said. He added that the developed countries should eliminate trade barriers set up through rigid environmental standards.

During the three-day conference, participants made suggestions on China's energy strategies, cleaner production methods, and "green" businesses, and are expected to submit a report to the State Council late this month.

Director of State Environmental Protection Administration Xie Zhenhua, who is also the vice-chairman of the council, spoke highly of the concerted efforts of participating experts and task forces in a concluding speech.

The council is expected to focus on sustainable agriculture at its meeting next year.

(China Daily November 3, 2003)