China Information

Five-country energy ministers meeting discusses energy security, efficiency

Energy chiefs of China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States gathered in Beijing Saturday, discussing ways to promote energy efficiency and security.
"This meeting aims at safeguarding the stable and sustainable development of the global energy industry and building a new concept of energy security featuring mutual benefit and diversified development," Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Ma Kai told the opening session.
The meeting involved Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora, Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Amari Akira, ROK Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Chung Sye Kyun and U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman.
The ministers had extensive and in-depth discussions on energy security, strategic oil reserve, energy mix and alternatives, energy efficiency, major challenges and priorities in international energy cooperation, according to a statement released by the NDRC.
Proposed by China, the first-ever meeting of energy ministers from the world's leading oil consuming nations came at a time when world oil prices keep fluctuating and energy demand continues to grow.
Ma said this meeting will send a sensible and positive message to the world. "The five major energy-consuming nations will step up dialogue, boost energy efficiency, jointly develop technology and protect the environment."
The five countries represent 45.2 percent of the world oil consumption in 2005, official statistics show.
Ma stressed that the five countries have shared interests and are confronted with common problems.
He made a six-point proposal on boosting energy cooperation among the five countries. The proposal calls for cooperation in oil conservation, development of oil alternatives, research of key technologies and increasing of energy supply.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with the ministers before the meeting.
In a joint statement released at the end of the meeting, five energy chiefs agreed to enhance cooperation in diversifying energy mix so as to make wider use of clean and alternative energy.
They vowed to strengthen cooperation on strategic oil reserves and encourage collaboration of business sectors of the five countries.
The five countries agree to work together on energy conservation and efficiency, increased transparency of data.
The energy chiefs also called on all countries in the world to build energy markets that are open, transparent, efficient and competitive.
They urged the international community to deal with energy emergencies through strategic oil reserves.
On the sidelines of the meeting, energy ministers of China and the United States also sealed a deal, which allowed the U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Co. to build four nuclear power units in China.

posted by china @ 4:27 AM