China to accelerate green transition in all socioeconomic sectors

China will accelerate its green transition in all economic and social sectors through coordinated efforts on cutting carbon emissions, reducing pollution, advancing green development and boosting economic growth, Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday.

Li made the remarks while delivering a government work report at the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

He emphasized the importance of advancing the Beautiful China Initiative to meet people's growing expectations for a healthy environment.

"We will enhance pollution prevention and control and ecological conservation, and continue our drive to keep the skies blue, waters clear and lands clean. We will also make comprehensive efforts to develop the national park-based system of protected areas, and initiate major biodiversity conservation programs," Li said.

Li also outlined specific actions to pursue a low-carbon economy.

"We will accelerate development of the green and low-carbon economy. We will carry out demonstration programs for the latest green and low-carbon technologies, fostering new growth drivers, such as green buildings, and exercising tight and effective regulation over energy-intensive projects. Additionally, we will step up recycling of waste and used materials, and boost incentives for eco-friendly consumption, aimed at promoting green and low-carbon ways of production and life," he said.

"We will actively and prudently work toward peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. Efforts will be made to establish a group of zero-carbon industrial parks and factories, to launch carbon emissions statistics and accounting initiatives, and to conduct low-carbon upgrade trials in coal-fired power plants. We will actively engage in and steer global environmental and climate governance," said Li.

The third session of the 14th NPC is scheduled from March 5 to 11.

(Cover: Villagers grow Chinese medicinal herbs in a photovoltaic zone in Lihua Village, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, east China, September 10, 2024. /VCG)