China's
Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan has called on experts from around the world to help the
Chinese Government develop the nation's environment protection.
Zeng said he wanted the experts to pay close attention to China's 11th
Five-Year Plan (2006-2010).
"The role of the council should be given full play," he told delegates
Sunday attending the third meeting of the Third Phase of the China Council
for International Co-operation on Environment and Development.
The council, established by the State Council of China in 1992, is a
high-level non-governmental advisory body that aims to strengthen co-operation
and exchange between China and the international community on environmental and
development issues.
Zeng is currently the council's chairman.
The focus of this year's meeting, which opened Friday, was sustainable
agriculture and rural development.
Recommendations proposed by the council on sustainable agriculture and rural
development are very helpful to the Chinese Government, Zeng said.
"Such suggestions include creating a new rural development framework in
China, which involves an increase of investment in education and science and
technology in rural areas," said Xie Zhenhua, Minister of the State
Environmental Protection Administration.
Xie is also a vice-chairman of the council.
Establishing a new framework for the nation's food security policy,
developing new ecological and economics-based national strategies for integrated
water management, modernizing the management of protected areas, and promoting
sustainable development throughout China's economy and its international trade
relations were also discussed.
Despite achievements already made, Zeng said the contradiction between
environment and development in China is still noticeable.
Environmental protection in cities will still be the emphasis in the future,
while measures will be taken to improve rural environment.
In rural areas, eco-agriculture will be developed and scientific use of
chemical fertilizer be promoted.
Pollution control in major regions which are densely populated, including the
Huaihe River region, will be increased while the protection of the vulnerable
environment in the western region be strengthened.
"Different control plans will be implemented accordingly in different
regions," said Zeng.
Meanwhile, the discharge of pollutants in the country will be strictly
controlled, he added.
Outdated techniques will continued to be phased out, clean production
promoted, and projects that are seriously polluting and energy-killing erased..
"International co-operation in environmental protection will be reinforced,"
Zeng said.
China will introduce advanced techniques and management methods and implement
international environmental protection conventions, he added.
