China takes tight rein on energy consumption, carbon emission: official

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

Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, on Thursday extended Spring Festival greetings to religious leaders and believers across China.

Wang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with leaders of national religious groups ahead of the Chinese New Year. Heads of the Buddhist Association of China, the Taoist Association of China, the China Islamic Association, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China were present at the meeting and delivered speeches.

Wang spoke highly of the work of the religious groups in 2025, urging systematic efforts to ensure that religions in China are Chinese in orientation and ensure law-based management of religious affairs, with the aim of contributing to the realization of Chinese modernization.

He called on the national religious groups to guide religious figures and believers to develop an accurate understanding of country, history, ethnicity, culture and religion, unite more closely around the CPC and the Chinese government, and help religions in China integrate with fine traditional Chinese culture and adapt to the socialist society.

Wang also stressed the importance of strengthening the law-based governance of religious affairs.

Senior official extends Spring Festival greetings to religious groups