The Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR), National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and State Environment Protection Administration (SEPA) held a joint press conference on Saturday in Beijing to give details on future measures to conserve resources and protect the environment while maintaining the current pace of economic growth.

The press conference was held as part of the program for the ongoing Fourth Session of the 10th National People’s Congress, China’s legislature, which convened on March 5 in Beijing. Top of the agenda for the session is deliberation on the work of the government and the 11th Five-Year Development Guidelines (2006-2010).

Recognizing the restraints on economic growth posed by land, water, energy, natural resources and environment protection issues, the Chinese government has decided to change its pattern of economic development and introduced the goal of building a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society.

Lowering energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 20 percent by 2010 is an important part of the Guidelines.

“Energy conservation is now one of the more pressing issues,” said Jiang Weixin, vice minister of the NDRC.

According to this year’s draft plan released by the NDRC on March 5, the government will “promptly formulate new standards and improve existing ones applicable to all industries in relation to energy, water, materials and land conservation, establish systems to verify that all localities and major industries have met their consumption targets, and to publish energy consumption per unit of GDP.”

Jiang noted that the NDRC “will strongly promote the upgrading of equipment and technology and eliminate production processes, technologies and equipment that waste energy, water and raw materials.”

In the pipeline are 10 major energy conservation projects, focused on improving energy conservation in 1,000 enterprises with high rates of energy consumption.

Pricing is also a crucial check on energy consumption levels.

“The prices of resources should reflect their scarcity,” Jiang pointed out. “For instance, the pricing of energy and water need further reform.”

However, as for how and how much prices will be raised, Jiang said that factors such as market demand and public opinion will be taken into consideration. Further research will also have to be conducted.

Meanwhile, China has also stepped up its resources development capabilities, according to Vice Minister of Land and Resources, Li Yuan.

According to him, coal and natural gas outputs last year were double those of 2001, and crude oil output increased 26 percent, which effectively supported the country’s steady and rapid economic growth.

Further, the ministry will fully tap the potential of domestic resources by strengthening prospecting and supply.

“We will regulate the development of mineral resources, promote the use of high technology, and maximize utilization of natural and human resources while reducing pollution.”

As for land management, Li said: “This will be strictly regulated because a shortage will be a prevalent feature during the 2006-2010 period.”

The government has set a limit of 1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares) of land for cultivation.

Li listed the following five measures that will be implemented to ensure that this limit is not exceeded and to protect existing cultivated land:

-- Land management policies will be developed in accordance with the law and strictly implemented;

-- The economic and intensive use of land for construction will be promoted;

-- Fees will be imposed for new constructions, which in turn will be used to boost the development of agriculture and protection of existing cultivated land;

-- The development of rural areas will be highly supervised; and

-- Tough action will be taken against anyone or any project that undermines the interests of farmers.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Tang Fuchun, March 12, 2006)