The development of new and renewable energy sources will be an
integral part of China's future energy policy, a top official said
yesterday.
"Through international cooperation, China will demonstrate to
the global community its determination to explore new and renewable
energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build an
environment-friendly society," Cao Jianlin, vice-minister for
science and technology, said.
He was speaking at an international forum in Beijing on
renewable energy, organized by the Ministry of Science and
Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission.
Cao said the government is committed to identifying and
developing new energy sources and finding practical applications
for them. It also wants to promote international exchanges via
forums, seminars and joint research centers, and work with foreign
counterparts to train high-level professionals.
He said the energy policy will give priority support to five
fields - solar power, biomass fuels, wind power, hydrogen energy
and natural gas utilization.
"We will soon extend invitations to experts on new and renewable
energy from around to the world in a bid to establish a committee
to outline key tasks and suggest areas for cooperation," Cao
said.
As part of its development plan for renewable energy, launched
in June, the government will provide additional funding for
research projects and offer preferential tax rates for those
involved in the development and use of renewable energy, he
said.
The plan aims to increase the proportion of renewable energy to
10 percent of total consumption by 2010, and to 16 percent by 2020,
Cao said. It currently accounts for just 1 percent.
"The International Science and Technology Cooperation Program on
New and Renewable Energy has set a guideline for cooperation
between China and other countries on renewable energy over the next
few years," Cao said.
There have been calls for the government to adjust its VAT
policy on renewable energy and reduce tariffs on imports of
renewable energy equipment.
"New energy is the driving force for the sustainable development
of industry," said Liu Zhijia, an engineer with the National
Research Center for Clean Vehicles, which is under the Chery
Automobile Company.
"In recent years, some domestic carmakers have invested heavily
in the research and development of new-energy vehicles," he
said.
Over the next five years, Chery will focus on developing fuel
cell vehicles, which generate electricity through a chemical
process that uses hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air.
(China Daily November 13, 2007)
