China to rely on science, tech for CO2 emissions cut: Premier

BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Premier Wen Jiabao said during an inspection tour to East China over the weekend that the country would rely on science and technology advancements to meet its carbon emissions reduction targets.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (3rd L) visits Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co., Ltd of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd, in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 28, 2009. Wen made an inspection tour in Shanghai and Jiangsu from Nov. 28 to 29.(Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

When visiting the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wen encouraged researchers to develop key technologies for electric vehicles and vehicles with high energy efficiency and low emissions.

He said China would adjust its "consumption policies" to push for the development of automobiles with low emissions and high energy efficiency, and "vigorously support" the development of electric cars.

On Thursday, the State Council announced to cut China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in 2020 by 40 to 45 percent from the level of 2005.

While visiting Shanghai and the neighboring Jiangsu Province, Wen called for a more balanced and energy-efficient economic development model.

He said China must speed up shifting its economic growth to a new pattern that depends not just on investment and export but also on domestic demand.