China establishes new 'green' ideas before abolishing old

Building an inclusive, green and low-carbon economy is crucial to promoting China's quality development but, the country should promote the low-carbon transition in a rational and orderly manner on the premise of ensuring energy security, Vice-Premier Han Zheng said on Thursday.

He made the remark at the annual general meeting of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. The meeting also marked the 30th anniversary of this high-level think tank for the Chinese government.

This year's meeting - which lasted from Monday to Thursday - was under the theme of Building an Inclusive, Green and Low-carbon Economy.

Building an inclusive, green and low-carbon economy is highly important, but the work should be promoted in line with the country's national conditions by firmly adhering to the principle of "establishing the new before abolishing the old", said Han, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

While giving higher priority to the development of clean energies, he said the country should also vigorously beef up its capabilities in clean, efficient utilization of coal.

Coal constitutes 94 percent of the fossil fuel reserves in China. About 70 percent of the oil supply and about 40 percent of the natural gas in China is imported, according to official figures.

The vice-premier also called for an intensified endeavor to strengthen the country's institutions and policies for low-carbon transition. The roles of market and price mechanisms, government planning and policy guidance should all be fully leveraged in the work, he said.

Upholding the concept of a community of a shared future for mankind, China will proactively participate in global climate governance, Han said. The country also aims to promote the building of a fair and rational global climate governance system for win-win results.

Han said he looks forward to seeing further exchanges and deepened collaboration among members and experts with the council, so they can contribute more wisdom to help promote China's sustainable development and improve the world's environmental governance system.