By Liu Peilin, mid-long-term growth research, Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC)

Report No 59, 2014 (Total No 4558)

Summary:

China came up with policies on industrial improvements, energy saving, emissions reduction, and a better energy structure, in 2013, but, because these policies will take time to take effect, China still faces great challenges in energy savings and emissions reduction in the short term. In 2013, its tertiary industrial value added output exceeded that of secondary industries for the first time, with economic growth becoming more likely to decline and carbon emissions' increase slowing down. The austerity measures to control overcapacity and prevent government debts from turning into serious risks, could also limit economic growth and reduce emissions in the short term.

The air pollution controls, which will help bring cleaner air, may help cultivate a green growth point, while, improving resource pricing to reflect its life cycle cost will, on one hand, slow down growth in extensive economic sectors but one the other hand improve resource allocation and cultivate high-quality, sustainable growth.