China strives to contribute more to global fight against climate change

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- As challenging as it is serious, climate change is not only clamoring for global attention, but also for global action.

Despite its tremendous need for development, China, the world's largest developing country, has taken unprecedented efforts in recent years to address the global issue.

From the closure of "Five Kinds of Small Plants" producing steel, iron and cement, to underlining "ecological civilization" in the 17th CPC Congress Report and publishing "China's National Climate Change Program," these concrete actions demonstrate the determination of the Chinese government to do something to about climate change.

CONSTRUCTING ECOLOGICAL CIVILIZATION

In October 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao, also CPC general secretary, declared in his report to the 17th CPC congress that China will work to construct "ecological civilization," signifying a new beginning for China's environmental protection.

Henri Proglio, chairman and CEO of the Veolia Environment, commented that it is quite encouraging for China to raise the concept of "ecological civilization," and through this declaration, China has raised the importance of environmental protection to an unprecedented level.

Published in June 2007, "China's National Climate Change Program," the country's first policy document and first national proposal among all developing nations, comprehensively lists the initiatives to combat climate change before 2010.

Additionally, October 2008 saw the publication of "China's Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change," which addresses the impact of climate change on China, China's policies and actions, as well as its efforts to cope with global warming.

These efforts indicate great determination on China's part, while the country is facing the dual task of promoting economic growth on the one hand while transforming its growth mode on the other -- all this amidst the global financial crisis.

As stipulated in the "11th Five-Year Plan," China's unit GDP energy consumption will be reduced by 20 percent till 2010. According to statistics from the State Development and Reform Commission, out of the entire 4,000 billion yuan (585.7 billion U.S. dollars) investment, 210 billion yuan (30.7 billion U.S. dollars) will be allocated to energy conservation and ecological construction, while 370 billion yuan (54.18 billion U.S. dollars) will be allocated to independent innovation and industrial structure adjustment. Meanwhile, proposed and approved by the state council, related instructions are also detailed in the stimulus package for 10 sectors.

China is demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development with an even stronger heart to the world.