China launches "energy saving" activity

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Source: CCTV.com | 09-24-2007 12:28

China has launched a campaign called the "nationwide energy saving activity". In an effort to raise public awareness, Beijing municipal departments switched off the landscape lights and flood lamps at the busiest commercial street in the capital for 30 minutes on Sunday.

Wangfujing is considered the busiest commercial street in Beijing. The glamorously-lit street has been a famous tourist attraction for more than 20 years.

But on Sunday, the municipal government deliberately shut down the landscape lights, hoping to save energy, and raise public concerns on energy consumption.

Zhao Lei,vice director of Beijing Electric Power Corp.,said, "A total of 1,500 kwh of electricity has been saved during the 30-minute blackout."

The street lamps and indoor lights were not shut off during the blackout. This was to insure that people could shop as usual. But many still felt the inconvenience.

"If there is no electricity, if the city lacks of power, we couldn't continue our daily life as usual." said Beijing residents.

In some communities of Beijing, residents switched off lights and unplugged appliances to experience the adverse effects caused by a lack of power.

Beijing is one of the eight cities including Shanghai and Shenzhen, that joined the "nationwide energy saving activity".

Editor:Zhang Ning