Energy is the key material basis for human survival and development. Upon entering the 21st century, profound changes have taken place in the global energy structure with matters related to global environment and energy supply, security, and efficiency becoming more and more pronounced. It has become widely recognized across the world that efforts should be made to increase energy efficiency, explore clean energy, protect ecological environment, and implement sustainable development.

As a major energy producer and consumer, China is faced with grave challenges in securing supply, protecting environment, and addressing climate change as the country moves quickly in economic development. The Chinese government has made establishing a secure, stable, economical and clean modern energy industry as a key priority in the country’s 12th Five-Year Plan. According to the plan, efforts will be made on five aspects. 

First, conservation. We will accelerate the shift of economic and industrial structure, intensify the development of circular economy, increase energy efficiency, and put in place as soon as possible energy conserving and environment-friendly industrial structure, growth pattern, and consumption model. 

Second, diversification. In order to encourage energy complementarity, while we continue to pursue the orderly development of traditional energies, we will also strengthen the development of renewable resources, steadily promote nuclear power generation, and work for moderate growth in alternative energy. 

Third, technology innovation. We will incentivise innovation and technological progress in the energy sector, step up the development of clean energy, and explore new avenues to develop energy resources. 

Fourth, environment protection. We will work actively to encourage the development of the energy sector in line with environment protection and promote an energy conserving and environment-friendly culture that attaches equal importance to economic development and environment sustainability. 

Fifth, mutually beneficial cooperation. We will strengthen cooperation with the international community on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and win-win progress.

The European Union has a highly mature and advanced energy sector. As an important force in the international energy market, the EU plays an essential role in promoting clean energy resources and low carbon economic development. Over the last 30 plus years since the establishment of our diplomatic ties, energy sector has constantly remained the most important, active and effective area of cooperation between China and Europe. Our cooperation has demonstrated four distinct characteristics.

First, a comprehensive mechanism. The China-EU Summit has played an important role in guiding the bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, and the China-EU Energy Cooperation Conference and the China-EU Energy Strategic Dialogue together constitute an effective platform for practical cooperation. 

Second, extensive coverage. Our cooperation covers strategic discussions, scientific research, technology development, practical cooperation, education and training. Government agencies and the private sector have forged a favourable partnership to make common progress. 

Third, effective results delivery. Through 30 years of cooperation in energy training programs, we have together trained over 5,000 people through eight training centres in China. Our cooperation has rewarded us leading capability in carbon capture and storage and near-zero emission. The Clean Energy Center established through our cooperation will have much to contribute to energy conservation and emission cut. 

Fourth, mutual reinforcement. China’s cooperation with the EU and member states is complementary towards each other. The two sides have enjoyed substantial cooperation under the framework of ITER. Nuclear energy cooperation between China and France is constantly making head-ways, and collaboration between China and Denmark and others in renewable energies has created new highlight in our energy cooperation.

Looking ahead, China and Europe share a huge potential in energy cooperation. The combination of China’s 12th Five-Year Plan and Europe’s 2020 Strategy will create new spaces of cooperation in market, capital, technology and management. Urbanization will certainly become a new area of growth in our energy cooperation. We are confident that as both China and Europe move to meet the climate change, our complementary strength will help foster new progress in the market of low-carbon technology and new energy.

We believe that a fair, just, stable and orderly international energy market mechanism serves the fundamental interest of both China and Europe. Energy cooperation is an important bond to strengthen China-EU relations. China is willing to work more closely with Europe to upgrade practical cooperation in the energy sector and to deepen China-EU relations.