The 16th CPC National Congress advanced that China will achieve the objectives of building a society that is well-off in every aspect by 2020. Along with the increase of population and the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, particularly the rapid development of heavy industry and transportation, the demand for energy will increase significantly. The imbalance between energy constraints and economic development, and the environmental pollution brought about by energy utilization will become even more evident.

Energy conservation is a realistic choice for alleviating the problem aof energy constraint, a fundamental measure to resolve energy related environmental problems, an important approach to upgrade the quality and benefit of economic growth, and a necessity to enhance enterprises'competitiveness. To resolve the problem of energy constraint, on the one hand we shall increase resources development through strengthening domestic exploration, speeding up project construction, and making full use of foreign resources. On the other hand, we shall adhere to giving priority to energy conservation, taking a path of step-change energy conservation. Without vigorous energy conservation, the sustainable, rapid, harmonious and healthy development of national economy cannot be well supported; without a step-change in energy conservation, it is hard to realize the new approach of industrialization. We must fully recognize the importance of energy conservation from a strategic point of view, establish the cognition for hardship, and enhance the sense of crisis and responsibility. We must vigorously conserve energy, reduce energy intensity, improve the energy utilization efficiency, and accelerate building an energy conserving society.

Reference Material (1)