China's Information Office of the State Council issued the country's first ever white paper on its energy conditions and policies 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.
(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2007)
