China is taking tight rein on intense energy consumption and carbon emissions by enforcing multi-pronged forceful measures with crucial emphasis on cutting fossil fuel consumption and increasing renewable energy consumption, said Zhao Chenxin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.
Zhao noted that since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China has made it clear that the non-fossil energy consumption would be no longer included in energy consumption control.
The package of incremental policies rolled out by China has further clarified that the non-fossil energy consumption should be strictly stripped out when conducting fixed asset investment projects' energy-saving reviews and evaluations on the responsibilities for energy-saving targets, so as to guide local governments to control fossil energy consumption and increase the renewable energy consumption by encouraging the purchase of green electricity and green electricity certificates, according to the official.
"Meanwhile, we will continue to intensify our efforts to resolutely prevent the blind and disorderly launch of projects with high energy consumption and high emissions, effectively curb unreasonable demand for energy, and promote industrial optimization, upgrading and healthy development," said Zhao.
In addition, China will coordinate the use of fund channels such as central government budget for investment and ultra-long special treasury bonds, in a bid to increase support for energy-saving and carbon-reduction transformation and renewal of energy-consuming equipment in key areas, and ensure the reasonable energy demand for the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and the development of emerging industries by tapping into the existing energy-saving potential, according to Zhao.
China takes tight rein on energy consumption, carbon emission: official
China takes tight rein on energy consumption, carbon emission: official
A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.
The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.
"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.
The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.
"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.
"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.
Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.
This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.
Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit
