A proposal for China's national economy and social development over the next five years (2006-2010), released on Tuesday by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), calls for stepping up development of nuclear, wind and solar energies.

 

The proposal says that China should accelerate oil and natural gas exploration and increase cooperation with other countries to enhance its capacity for strategic oil reserve.

 

China should also vigorously develop nuclear power and build more power grids so that more electricity can be transmitted from the western part to the economically-developed eastern part to cater for the rising demand there.

 

The development of renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar power, should also be stepped up, the CPC proposes.

 

The proposal also suggests building large coal production bases and further adapting and renovating medium-sized and small coal mines.

 

As for water conservation, it says, the government should further harness the country's major rivers and lakes and control the exploration of underground water.

 

Meanwhile, efforts should be made to boost seawater desalination so as to cope with water shortage in the coastal areas.

 

The Proposal for the 11th Five-Year Program for National Economic and Social Development was adopted at the 5th Session of the 16th CPC Central Committee which closed last Tuesday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2005)