China should control thermal power pollution, and meanwhile explore new energy, such as wind power, solar power, and renewable energy for power generation, said environmental experts in Beijing Wednesday.  

At a workshop titled "Economic Development and Environmental Protection," Zhu Fahua, deputy president of the State Power Environmental Protection Research Institute, said the power industry is the largest coal consumer as well as the largest air polluter in China. At present, thermal power capacity takes up 74 percent of China's total power capacity, he said.

Zhu noted that sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide can produce acid rain under certain conditions, which would pose threats to natural resources, eco-system, visibility and public health.

Statistics show that annual emission volume of sulfur dioxide reached 19.95 million tons in China in 2000, 60 percent over the capability of the environment.

Zhu predicted that China's power supply will be based on coal for a long period to come, and coal consumption will keep on increasing.

China should cut coal mines rich in sulfur and develop clean power generating technology, he said.

Daniel J. Dudek, chief economist of Environmental Defense, said China is facing the challenge between the increase of power industry and harmonious development of the environment.

"China should find new ways to deal with the challenge rather than build more power plants," he said.

At present, China has conducted pilot projects in sulfur dioxide emission control and the trade of pollutant emission rights in Shandong, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Henan, Shanghai, Tianjin, Liuzhou and China Engineering Technology Development Corporation. These projects cover 727 enterprises, with annual sulfur dioxide emission volume of 2.44 million tons.

Some 30 Chinese and American environmental experts attended the workshop.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2004)