国内英语新闻:Vice premier calls for more efforts to promote energy-saving awareness, technologies

BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese government official has called for more efforts to promote increased awareness about energy-savings among the public and increase investments into research for energy-saving technologies.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang made the remark in his letter to sponsors of China's 20th national energy-saving publicity week (June 12 to June 18) that ended on Friday.

Various campaigns and promotional activities were held during the week to increase awareness about conserving energy among all communities and also promote energy-saving practices, Li said in the letter.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said government should put more investment into research for energy-saving technologies.

Additionally, long-term mechanisms for energy-savings should be established so that the 11th Five-Year Plan energy-saving goals could be realized, Li said.

China seeks to reduce energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 20 percent in 2010 compared to 2005 levels, according to the country's 11th five-year plan (2006-2010).

The 20th national energy-saving publicity week was sponsored by the National Development and Reform Commission and 13 other government agencies.