The Paper:

Low-carbon energy is the key to reducing air pollution and controlling greenhouse gas emissions. In the past 10 years, how has China coordinated energy security and green and low-carbon transformation and accelerated the building of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system? Thank you.

Zhao Chenxin:

Thank you for your question. You raised a very good question. Indeed, human beings cannot survive and develop without energy. To achieve green development, we must vigorously reform how we produce and utilize energy. In the 10 years of the new era, China has accelerated the reform of energy production and utilization, continuously enhanced energy security capabilities, and promoted the substantial improvement of green and low-carbon levels, providing critical support for the realization of high-quality economic and social development. I will briefly introduce it from several aspects.

First, we have strengthened the ability to guarantee energy supply. We are committed to maintaining energy security and have developed a diverse energy production system that includes coal, oil, gas, electricity, nuclear, and renewable energy. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the National Energy Administration (NEA) shows that the supply of raw coal, crude oil, natural gas, and electricity in China has grown steadily, with improved quality, in recent years. At a press conference of the SCIO two days ago, Lian Weiliang, vice chairman of the NDRC, and Zhang Jianhua, administrator of the NEA, elaborated on this topic, so I won't go into details on this aspect. Through these efforts, we have ensured high-quality energy production growth, effectively guaranteeing national energy security.

Second, we have vigorously promoted renewable energy. The capacity of wind and photovoltaic power generation has continued to grow. Wind and solar energy are gradually becoming the dominant source of newly installed capacity and power generation. At the end of 2022, the national installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic power reached over 700 million kilowatts, and the installed capacity of wind power and photovoltaic power generation ranks first in the world. In 2022, the newly installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic power made up 78% of the country's newly installed capacity, and newly added wind and photovoltaic power generation accounted for more than 55% of the country's new power generation in that year - a significant proportion. We have taken many measures to implement the full guarantee purchase system for renewable energy power generation and have also been carrying out a weighted assessment of our renewable energy power consumption responsibility. The utilization efficiency of renewable energy has been significantly improved.

Third, we have focused on enhancing the efficient and clean utilization of fossil fuels. We advanced coal industry supply-side reforms and implemented green mining. Also, we transformed coal power plants to ultra-low emission and energy-saving standards. By the end of 2021, over 1 billion kW of coal-fired generating units have achieved ultra-low emissions nationwide, and nearly 900 million kW have undergone energy-saving renovations. We encouraged the substitution of coal with natural gas, electricity, and renewable energy and promoted clean end-use energy. We also carried out special actions to upgrade refined oil quality to an internationally advanced level. Furthermore, we accelerated the phasing out of high-emission and old vehicles to reduce pollution emissions effectively.

Ensuring energy security and promoting a green, low-carbon transformation while accelerating the development of a clean, efficient, and safe energy system is a crucial and long-term objective that must be upheld. Building on our current efforts, we will continuously strive to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and further advance the energy revolution, providing strong support for a green and low-carbon transformation of the economy and society. Thank you.

Hong Kong Economic Herald:

The report of the 20th CPC National Congress proposed to move the manufacturing sector toward higher-end, smarter, and greener production and made a series of important arrangements for the transition to green development. What developments have been made in the green and low-carbon transformation of China's industry and information technology in the new era? Thank you.

Xin Guobin:

Thank you for your question. The 20th CPC National Congress made important arrangements for promoting the green development of the manufacturing sector, and further pointed out the direction for the green and low-carbon transformation of the industrial and information industry. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have conscientiously implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, applied the new development philosophy in full, the right way and all fields of endeavor, and adopted a series of policy measures, all resulting in significant progress.

First, the restructuring of the industrial sector has seen notable results. Traditional manufacturing is undergoing rapid optimization and adjustment. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), China removed more than 150 million tons of excess steel production capacity and about 300 million tons of excess cement production capacity. Substandard steel products have been eliminated. The advanced manufacturing industry continues to grow and develop. The value-added output of high-tech and equipment manufacturing in 2021 accounted for 15.1% and 32.4% of that of industries above the designated size, up 5.7 and 4.2 percentage points from 2012, respectively.

Second, energy resource utilization efficiency continues to improve. All stakeholders are actively promoting industrial energy conservation and reduction. In 2021, the comprehensive energy consumption per unit of products such as steel, electrolytic aluminum, cement clinker, and flat glass was reduced by more than 9% compared to 2012, and the coal consumption per kilowatt-hour of thermal power units nationwide decreased to 302.5 grams of standard coal, both leading the world. At the same time, resource utilization is being actively pursued. According to preliminary estimates, in 2021, the total utilization of bulk industrial solid waste was approximately 2.1 billion metric tons, with a utilization rate increase of nearly 10 percentage points compared to 2012. The impact has been substantial.

Third, the green supply capacity has been significantly enhanced. Efforts were made to fortify the low-carbon and green industrial chain, reinforce the industrial foundation, and drive key technological advancements. The mega-kilowatt hydropower generator set is now operating and generating power. China produces more than 70% of the global total of polysilicon, wafers, cells, and modules. Green transformation of transportation was actively promoted. The production and sales of new energy vehicles have ranked first globally for eight consecutive years, and the output of such vehicles is expected to surpass 7 million in 2022. The global market share of green shipping using LNG and methanol has approached 50%. Green building materials have been successfully promoted and used in urban and rural areas, especially going down with rural residents.

Fourth, a coordinated digital and green transformation has been enhanced. The integration and advancement of digital tech and manufacturing have increased. The digital control rate of key processes in key areas increased from 24.6% in 2012 to 55.3% in 2021. Efforts were made to optimize the energy efficiency of new infrastructure. Currently, the average energy consumption of a 5G base station has decreased by over 20% from its initial commercialization stage, and 153 national green data centers have been established. The average PUE of large and above data centers planned and under construction nationwide has decreased to 1.3.

Next, we will conscientiously implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and work to maintain harmony between humanity and nature in our development. We'll actively promote peak carbon emissions in the industrial sector and build a green and low-carbon tech system as well as a green manufacturing support system. We aim for industrial transformation and development toward a high-end industrial structure, low-carbon energy consumption, circular resource utilization, clean production processes, digital manufacturing, and green product supply.

Thank you.