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)