The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has set out a strategic plan for the development of China's energy industry until 2050.

The plan proposes three steps. The first is to develop energy-saving technology and master techniques in the collection, storage and utilization of carbon dioxide by 2020.

From 2021 to 2030, the focus will be on promoting nuclear energy and other renewable energies so they become main resources and maximizing the efficiency of solar energy.

Over the following 20 years, the academy advocates the reduction of fossil energies (coal, petroleum, natural gas) to less than 60 percent of total energy consumption.

"Drawing up a strategic plan for energy science and technology development is a significant guarantee to build a Chinese energy sustainable development system," said Lu Yongxiang, CAS president.

"China should establish a renewable energy system by 2050 with which the amount of energy produced could generally meet the domestic demands of economic development," he added.

Last week, China's Science and Technology Minister Wan Gang announced plans to establish a batch of international laboratories and research centers to strengthen cooperation in research and energy exploitation between governments and non-governmental organizations around the world.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2007)