Also on Tuesday, the government issued a white paper on its policies for addressing climate change, highlighting a range of major policy measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010) period.

The white paper, titled "China's Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change," was released by the State Council Information Office.

In 2006, China established a goal of reducing its per-unit GDP energy consumption in 2010 by 20 percent from that of 2005.

In 2007, China became the first developing country to formulate and implement a national program to address climate change.

Two years later, China said it would work to reduce per-unit GDP greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent before 2020.

The white paper said China has achieved remarkable results in controlling greenhouse gas emissions over the last five years by promoting industrial restructuring, energy restructuring and energy conservation and improving energy efficiency.

According to the white paper, China has accomplished the energy conservation goals listed in its 11th Five-Year Plan. China's energy consumption per unit of GDP has dropped 19.1 percent from that of 2005 accumulatively, which is equivalent to a reduction of 1.46 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to the paper.

China has also strengthened scientific research, improved relevant laws and policies and enhanced the capability of key sectors to adapt to climate change, the white paper said.

China has proactively and constructively participated in international negotiations to address climate change and strived to make positive contributions toward building a fair and reasonable international mechanism for addressing climate change, the paper said.

China has also proactively participated in and promoted practical cooperation with governments, international organizations and institutions based on the principles of "mutual benefit and win-win cooperation," the white paper said.

According to the white paper, China will prioritize global climate change during its 12th Five-Year Plan period.

China will also increase the capacity of carbon sinks to effectively control greenhouse gas emissions, improve the capacity to cope with climate change, conduct extensive international cooperation on climate change, and promote sustainable economic and social development in the 12th Five-Year Plan period, the white paper noted.

The 2011 UN Climate Change Conference is scheduled for late November to early December in Durban. The white paper said China believes that the consensus reached at the 2010 UN Climate Change Conference should be put into effect during the Durban conference. The conference should also allow for the resumption of negotiations on issues left unresolved at the 2010 conference.