To guarantee world energy security the international community required to make combined efforts, Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Monday in St. Petersburg, Russia.

 

"To ensure global energy security we require to develop and implement a new concept that calls for mutually beneficial cooperation, diversified forms of development and common energy security through coordination," Hu said in a speech to the outreach session of the G8 summit.

 

While global energy security was crucial to the economic growth and livelihoods of people from all countries as well as world peace, stability and common development, "Few countries can achieve energy security without international cooperation," he stressed.

 

In this regard efforts should be made in three priority areas, Hu said.

 

Firstly, cooperation should be enhanced for mutual benefit in energy development and utilization.

 

"To ensure global energy security it’s important to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between energy exporters and major energy consumers," he said. He urged the international community to strengthen policy coordination and improve mechanisms for monitoring the world energy market and responding to industry emergencies.

 

 

Second, a system for R&D and extension of advanced energy technologies required to be put in place, Hu said.

 

International cooperation should be promoted in key technology R&D work in renewable energies, hydrogen and nuclear power. Other energy resources and energy-saving technologies also required to be promoted, he said.

 

Third, efforts required to be made to maintain a sound political climate favorable to energy security and stability, Hu added.  

 

"We should join hands to safeguard the stability of energy-producing countries and regions and in particular the Middle East,” he said. "Energy issues should not be politicized and countries shouldn’t willfully resort to force in tackling energy affairs."

 

Hu also explained China's energy strategy which can be summarized as follows: Give high priority to conservation, rely mainly on domestic supply, develop diverse energy resources, protect the environment, step up international cooperation of mutual benefit and ensure the stable supply of economical and clean energies.

 

Hu pledged China, as a major energy consumer and producer, "Will make proper use of the international energy market and strengthen win-win cooperation with other energy producers and consumers on the basis of equality and mutual benefit to jointly safeguard global energy security."

 

The G8 leaders met with the leaders of six developing countries -- Brazil, China, India, Mexico, the Republic of Congo and South Africa -- on Monday for an outreach session to discuss issues of common concern. The discussion focused on energy security, fighting communicable diseases, education and Africa's development.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2006)