China for India's energy security

Beijing would cooperate with other countries to safeguard int'l energy security, says Chinese PM Wen Jiabao.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday assured India and three other major energy consumers here that Beijing would cooperate with other countries to safeguard international energy security.

HT Image

"China is willing to cooperate with other countries in developing and exploiting energy resources, especially in energy conservation, improvement of energy efficiency, development of alternative energy resources and environmental protection concerning energy utilisation, and contribute towards maintaining the stability and security of international energy supply," Wen said.

Wen made the remark in his meeting with Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora, Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Amari Akira, South Korean Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Chung Sye Kyun and US Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, who were in Beijing to attend a five-country energy ministers meeting convened on Saturday together with their Chinese counterpart, Ma Kai.

Wen noted that energy efficiency is a strategic issue in China's economic development and the country is striving to build an energy-efficient society.

China will continue its efforts to promote the use of wind, solar and biomass and other renewable energies, Wen added. The ministers echoed Wen's views, noting that their countries and China have shared interests and face same challenges in the energy field and they should take effective measures to improve energy efficiency to address the energy security issue.

The one-day meeting is expected to issue a Joint Statement, urging the key oil producing countries to step up their investment and expand oil supply capacities to ensure adequate supplies for all.