China´s energy per GDP unit drops

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Source: CCTV.com | 08-27-2007 13:49

More on the report from China's top economic planner on energy-saving and on the reduction of emissions from pollutants.

China's top economic planner, Ma Kai, says China reduced energy consumption per unit of GDP in 2006, and in the first half of 2007.

Sulfur dioxide emissions in the country experienced a drop in the first six months of the year, its first fall in several years.

The growth rate of the chemical oxygen demand witnessed a slow-down.

And since the beginning of this year, local governments have stepped up efforts to contain the rapid growth of industries with high energy consumption and severe pollutant emissions.

Ma Kai said "From January to June, we closed environmentally-unfriendly iron-production, equaling 11.4 million tons, and 8.7 million tons of steel-making. Over 2,800 small coal mine plants have been closed."

But the top economic planner also pointed out that greater efforts are needed.

The Central government has earmarked more funding.

"The Chinese government has recently set aside another ten billion yuan to improve energy saving and cut pollutant discharge."

So far this year, 21.3 billion yuan or 2.7 billion US dollars has been used to achieve this very's goal.

Editor:Yang Jie