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)