Shenzhen Satellite TV:

My question is about energy security. In recent years, some parts of China have been in the grip of electricity and coal shortages, which have affected production and life in these areas to a certain extent. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress stressed that China will work actively and prudently toward the goals of reaching peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. So the dual carbon goals put forward outline higher requirements for the high-quality development of energy, especially taking account into the impact of many factors such as the current tight energy market conditions and the volatile geopolitical situation. How can China's energy production and consumption be more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable and how can we keep firm in our commitment to energy security?

Ren Jingdong:

Good morning, everyone! Energy security is an overall and strategic issue related to the economic and social development of China and is crucial to the prosperity and development of the country, the improvement of people's lives, and the long-term prosperity and stability of society. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the scientific guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping's new energy security strategy of "four revolutions, one cooperation" (promoting the energy consumption revolution, energy supply revolution, energy technology revolution, energy system revolution, and strengthening international cooperation in an all-round way), the multi-driven energy supply system has been gradually perfected, the supply quality and efficiency have been continuously elevated, and the energy self-sufficiency rate has remained above 80%. Hence, China’s energy system has not only withstood severe tests such as the COVID-19 pandemic and major natural disasters but also effectively cope with challenges from international energy price volatility, providing a solid energy guarantee for facilitating high-quality economic and social development.

China is both a major producer and consumer of energy. Ensuring energy security has always been China's primary task in energy work. We will conscientiously study and understand the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, try to ensure stability of energy supply as our top priority and pursue progress while ensuring stability. We will vigorously enhance China's capacity to ensure resource production and supply and unswervingly deliver good results in our work. We will focus on ensuring energy security in three aspects.

First, we should reinforce and strengthen the foundation. We will base our work on creating diversified domestic supplies to ensure safety, give full play to the role of coal as ballast and the basic adjustment role of coal power, vigorously enhance strength for oil and gas exploration and development, and strive to achieve an annual comprehensive energy production capacity of more than 4.6 billion metric tons of coal equivalent by 2025. At the same time, we need to further establish and improve coal and oil reserve systems, and especially accelerate the construction of reserve depots, LNG terminals, and other facilities, to ensure that the energy supply is elastic within a reasonable range.

Second, we will work to replace fossil fuels with alternative energy sources in an orderly manner. Focusing on long-term development needs, we will build a supply system of wind power, photovoltaic power, hydropower, nuclear power and other clean energies and press ahead with key hydropower and nuclear power projects. We will promote the construction of large-scale wind power and photovoltaic bases, especially in sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts, and develop biomass and geothermal energy, and other renewable energies according to local conditions. This ensures that non-fossil energy will take up 20% and 25% of total energy consumption by 2025 and 2030, respectively.   

Third, we will work on risk control. Considering worst-case scenarios and risks, we will develop our monitoring and warning capacities regarding energy security and build and improve the warning system for coal, oil and gas, and power supply and demand. We will continuously enhance infrastructure construction of emergency power, pipelines, and network connectivity. Different regions and various kinds of energy sources will be better able to support and supplement each other. We will also continue strengthening the energy supply in key regions and periods, raising the ability of emergency response, and disaster rescue and relief. Our goal is to ensure energy security for the production and life of our people. Thank you!