Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan called for extensive international cooperation in the energy sector here Monday afternoon at a meeting with participants attending a related forum.

More than 80 energy-related experts, officials and entrepreneurs from both home and abroad discussed China's energy issues, including energy efficiency, energy and environment and new energy forms during the two-day China Development Forum special session on China's Energy Strategy and Reform, sponsored by the Development Research Center of the State Council.

Zeng said at the meeting that the Chinese government attaches great importance to environmental issues and will follow a new industrial development path with better economic returns, low consumption of resources and less pollution.

Zeng said China will continue to adjust its industrial and energy structure, raise energy efficiency, conduct extensive international cooperation in energy, strengthen development of clean coal technology, make use of new energy and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy, and popularize technologies for energy saving and comprehensive utilization.

Zeng said he hoped participants will strengthen exchanges with Chinese departments and offer their opinions for China's reform and development in the energy field.

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2003)