In addition, sulfur dioxide emissions will be reduced by about 10 percent. In 2008, meanwhile, China had replaced incandescent bulbs with 62 million energy-saving lamps. The country also offered subsidies to 70 different kinds of energy-saving products. In 2005, on the other hand, the country's non-fossil energy, minus nuclear power, represented merely 7.5 percent of its total energy supply.

This proportion is going to reach 15 percent by 2020, said Xie. According to the State Council's energy plan, China will also take special measures to encourage domestic enterprises to develop non-fossil and clean energy.

China's Action Plan

Chinese President Hu Jintao introduced China's four action plans into its economic and social development plan in the speech he delivered during the UN's climate change summit on September 22.

First, China will intensify efforts to conserve energy and improve energy efficiency, and endeavor to cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by a notable margin by 2020 from the 2005 level.

Second, China will vigorously develop renewable and nuclear sources of energy.

It will further endeavor to increase its share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 15 percent by 2020.

Third, China will energetically increase forest carbon sink while increasing forest coverage by 40 million hectares and forest stock volume by 1.3 billion cubic meters by 2020 from the 2005 levels.

Fourth, China will step up efforts to develop its green economy, low-carbon economy and circular economy. It will also enhance research, development and dissemination of climate-friendly technologies.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)

Boosting China-U.S. and China-Japan Relationships

Chinese President Hu Jintao exchanged views with U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama during their sideline meetings at the UN climate change summit.

During Hu's meeting with Obama on September 22, the two leaders exchanged views on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern. This was their second meeting this year since April's London G20 summit. At that time, they agreed to forge a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship in the 21st century.

Hu stressed that the two sides should respect and attend to each other's interests and concerns. He reiterated that issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang concern China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Hu also expressed the hope that the United States will support China's antiterrorism measures to maintain peace and social stability, while prohibiting "East Turkistan" forces from using U.S. territory to separate China.

Obama echoed that Washington has never reversed its one-China policy stance. The United States, pledged Obama, respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.

President Obama also emphasized that the United States supports free trade and seeks the enlargement of bilateral trade. It is willing to solve trade and economic disputes with China through dialogue and consultation, said Obama. He added that he appreciated China's achievements in fighting the global financial crisis by widening domestic demand while maintaining stable exchange rates for its national currency, the renminbi.

"I wish and believe that during the tenure of Prime Minister Hatoyama, China-Japan relations will demonstrate a new state of more active growth and usher in greater prospects," said President Hu upon meeting Prime Minister Hatoyama on September 21 during the UN General Assembly.

This was the first meeting between the two leaders since Hatoyama was elected prime minister on September 16.

Both leaders expressed confidence that advanced bilateral ties based on common strategic interests would be the outcome of a healthy Sino-Japanese partnership.

President Hu suggested five propositions on developing bilateral relations: Enhancing high-level communications to improve political trust; promoting trade and economic cooperation to overcome the international financial crisis and the encouragement of recovery for both economies within the earliest possible timeframe; improving popular opinion of each other's people and cultures, thereby increasing cross-cultural understanding; strengthening cooperation on Asian affairs, such as diffusing nuclear tensions along the Korean peninsula; safeguarding peace and stability in Northeast Asia, and dealing diplomatically with general differences.