Premier Wen Jiabao has affirmed China's adherence to the principle of sustainable growth during its modernization drive.

Wen delivered the reassurance on Friday when meeting major Chinese and foreign members of the China Council for International Co-operation on Environment and Development (CCICED).

A high-level non-governmental advisory body, the council was established by the State Council in 1992 to further strengthen co-operation and exchange between China and the international community in the field of the environment and development. It is re-elected after every five-year tenure.

The current group is the third council since the CCICED was established. Its three-day annual meeting started on Thursday.

China's industrialization will follow the principles of cost-effectiveness, low consumption of resources, a low pollution output and the efficient use of human resources, Wen was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency.

Wen said the hard work of CCICED members had greatly boosted environmental protection and sustainable development in China over recent years, and he said he hopes they will continue to contribute to the goal.

Paul Thibault, president of the Canadian International Development Agency and a council vice-chairman, suggested during the meeting that China should ensure the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in its sustainable industrialization push.

His suggestions also included the promotion of a circular economy by using government purchasing power, the introduction of sustainability criteria for bank loans and insurance guarantees through reform in the financial sector.

In addition, Thibault said China needs to diversify its financial mechanisms to fund urban environmental infrastructure and develop plans to build the capacity of enterprises and local governments.

Mans Lonnroth, former state secretary of Sweden's Ministry of Environment and also a CCICED vice-chairman, said sustainable industrialization will enhance China's competitiveness and open new pathways for growth and employment.

He said reliable statistics, with overall social, economic and environmental indicators, are needed so China can determine whether it can manage the consequences of its rapid economic growth.

(China Daily November 1, 2003)