This process is also beneficial for the environment, considering that rural residents tend to use coal for household cooking, unable to convert to the more expensive electric appliances.

Burning coal releases particulate matters into the atmosphere, leading to smog, acid rain, and toxins in the environment.

China has made impressive strides in cutting coal emissions, with consumption down more than 5 percent in 2015 compared with an approximate 3 percent decrease in 2014.

From 2006 to 2010, China closed 72 gigawatts of inefficient coal plants in an attempt to reduce carbon emission.

On the private sector side, a growing number of Chinese firms are pursuing the fields of energy efficiency, new materials and renewable energy, encouraged by subsidies from the government.

Over the past few years, China has emerged as a global leader in clean energy, topping the world in production of compact fluorescent light bulbs, solar water heaters, solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and wind turbines.

In 1999 China made one percent of the world's solar panels; by 2008 it was the world's leading producer, with a 32 percent market share, and its solar-panel exports were valued at US$15 billion.

In addition to aiding the environment, this rapidly growing clean-technology sector will continue to increase employment and income in the future.

As the world's largest energy consumer, China sees the challenge presented by climate change as a historical opportunity in the transformation of energy development to diversify its energy economy, reduce environmental concerns and enhance citizens' living standards.

The author is a student at Bryn Mawr College, USA