China has lowered its energy consumption intensity by over 26 percent since 2012, making it one of the fastest in the world, according to the data announced on the National Energy Conservation Week, which started Monday at a ceremony in Qingdao City of east China's Shandong Province.
The latest data show that the drop in energy consumption is equivalent to 1.4 billion tonnes of standard coal and a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by about three billion tonnes.
"Since the start of the 14th Five-year Plan period (2021-2025), the National Development and Reform Commission has been working closely together with all local authorities and government departments to continuously improve the output efficiency of energy consumption in key areas, vigorously advance the green and low-carbon transformation of China's energy structure, and achieved positive results in energy conservation and carbon reduction. In 2024, China's energy consumption intensity and carbon emission intensity fell by 3.8 percent and 3.4 percent year on year respectively, and those in the first four years of the 14th Five-year Plan period decreased by 11.6 percent and 9.3 percent respectively," said Zhang Lupeng, deputy head of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection under the National Development and Reform Commission.
In 2024, the proportion of production capacities by key industrial sectors that met the National Development and Reform Commission's energy efficiency benchmark levels increased by six percentage points on average from 2020.
In China's overall energy consumption, the share of non-fossil fuels rose from 15.9 percent in 2020 to 19.8 percent in 2024.
For China's public institutions, the energy consumption per unit area of floorage and the per capita comprehensive energy consumption dropped by 4 percent and 5.1 percent in 2024, respectively, compared with 2020.
China lowers energy consumption intensity by over 26 percent since 2012
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
