CRI听力:China Sets Energy Saving, Emissions Cutting Targets

The central authorities in China have announced new energy saving and emission reduction targets over the coming 2-years.

Xie Zhenhua is the vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission.

"During the first two years of the 12th Five-Year Plan, China's aggregate energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by 5.5 percent, only meeting 32.7 percent of the Five-Year Plan target; and the nitrogen oxide emission actually increased by 2.8 percent. To realize the 12th Five-Year Plan goal, China must reduce its annual energy consumption by 3.84 percent and annual nitrogen oxide emission by 4.3 percent over the next three years."

The new plans include requiring local governments to develop and transfer clean energy resources in their areas.

The new initiatives also call for controlling coal consumption and preparing for more strict standards for motor vehicle exhaust emissions.