Song Hailiang, chairman of China Energy Engineering Group Co, said that combined with the development of CCUS, China should work to accelerate the transformation of coal power generation. It should also develop the technologies to promote the clean and efficient use of such generation to ensure energy security and achieve green development.

Innovations could be made to design standards and pricing mechanisms for coal power, along with advances in technological research and development, Song said.

The government has said it will continue to strengthen coal's basic supporting role and take steps to increase advanced coal production, while accelerating the development of new energy systems to support the nation's green transition.

At the two sessions, which closed on March 13, the Government Work Report emphasized that coal continued to play its role as a primary energy source in China over the past year.

Advanced coal capacity has been added to further support power generation and heating supply enterprises in ensuring reliable energy supplies, the report said.

Song said that in recent years, China has optimized its coal power structure while eliminating outdated production capacity.

Coal remains an important part of the economy and will play an irreplaceable role in achieving power peak regulation and ensuring the safe and reliable supply of energy, he added.