Paying close attention to conservation and rational use of energy and
resources. Efforts to alleviate the problem of tight supplies of energy and
resources needed for economic and social development must start at home by
utilizing energy and resources much more efficiently. First, we will resolutely
adhere to the policy of simultaneously developing and conserving energy and
resources, giving priority to conservation. We will encourage the development
and application of new technologies that use less energy and resources, and
institute a system requiring the elimination of equipment and products that
consume excessive quantities of energy and materials. Second, we will promptly
draw up standards and targets for reducing energy and resource consumption in
every industry, along with policies and measures for meeting the targets. This
work will be focused on saving energy, water and materials in key industries. We
will encourage development of energy-efficient, environment-friendly
automobiles, and housing and public buildings that use less energy and land.
Third, we will energetically develop the recycling sector of the economy. We
will increase the comprehensive utilization of resources and the recycling of
resources by addressing problems concerning their exploitation, their use in
production and in society, and the utilization of waste materials. We will also
work vigorously to develop new and renewable energy resources. Fourth,
management of the exploitation of mineral resources will be strengthened. We
will rectify and standardize the order in their exploitation. We will improve
the compensation mechanisms for the exploitation and utilization of mineral
resources and for restoration of the natural environment. Fifth, we will
energetically promote production and consumption practices that use less energy
and resources, increase public awareness of the importance of conservation, and
accelerate the development of a conservation-minded society.
Strengthening environmental protection and ecological improvement. We must
promptly solve environmental pollution problems that seriously affect the health
of the people. Focusing on prevention and control of water pollution, we will
intensify efforts to clean up industrial and urban pollution and rural nonpoint
pollution and to protect potable water sources. We will implement a system for
strictly controlling the total amount of pollutants discharged and increase
monitoring and law enforcement relating to environmental protection. We will
energetically promote clean production and develop environment-friendly
industries. We will continue our good work of protecting natural forests and
improving grasslands and make greater efforts to bring sources of sandstorms and
factors causing soil erosion under control. Our objective for this work is to
ensure that people have clean water, fresh air and a better environment in which
to live and work.
4. Promoting balanced development among different regions. Taking the overall
interests of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and
accelerating the modernization drive as our starting point, we formulated the
general strategic plan to develop the western region, reinvigorate Northeast
China and other old industrial bases, energize the central region and encourage
faster development of the eastern region. The plan is designed to implement a
regional development strategy that accommodates regional differences, exploits
comparative advantages and gives each its proper emphasis while maintaining
close coordination. The plan meets the need for overall balanced development
while making maximum use of each region's initiative and promoting interaction
between the eastern, central and western regions so that they can complement and
help each other and develop together.
We need to carefully review the experience accumulated over the last five
years in implementing the strategy for developing the western region. The state
will further increase support for the region through policies and measures,
funding, deployment of industries and development of human resources. We will
continue to strengthen infrastructure development and ecological conservation.
We will carefully carry out the work of returning farmland to forests and
returning grazing lands to grasslands. We will energetically exploit the western
region's competitive resources, develop its distinctive industries and
strengthen its processing capability. Development in key areas and zones will be
accelerated. We will vigorously open the western region wider to the rest of the
country and the rest of the world. Economic and technological cooperation with
neighboring countries and regions will be energetically expanded. We will
promptly set up permanent, stable channels to fund development of the western
region.
We will fully implement the policies and measures of the Central Committee
and the State Council for reinvigorating Northeast China and other old
industrial bases. We will vigorously develop modern agriculture and intensify
development of state commercial grain bases. We will accelerate the work of
adjusting and upgrading the industrial structure and reorganizing and upgrading
key enterprises. We will establish a mechanism for aiding declining industries
in cities with resource-based economies in order to promote a shift away from
dependence on resources. We will conscientiously carry out pilot projects to
reform VAT and trials to expand the urban social security system. Northeast
China and other old industrial bases should take a new road to reinvigoration by
relying mainly on innovations in systems and mechanisms while accelerating
reform and opening wider to the outside world.
We will promptly work out plans and measures to energize the central region.
Full advantage should be taken of the region's geographic location and overall
economic strengths to develop modern agriculture, particularly in the main
grain-producing areas, improve the overall transportation system, build more
bases for producing energy and important raw materials, and accelerate the
development of competitive manufacturing and new and high technology industries.
We will open up the central region's large market to greatly stimulate the flow
of goods. The state will support this work through policy, funding and the
deployment of major development projects.
