Sustainable transport center plans win approval
Representatives from China and abroad have expressed great interest in the nation’s establishment of a global innovation and knowledge center for sustainable transportation, saying that it will be an important platform serving China’s international communication in the sector.
On Thursday, as he delivered a speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the Second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference, President Xi Jinping announced that China will set up a Global Innovation and Knowledge Center for Sustainable Transport, as a contribution to global transportation development.
“President Xi’s announcement on setting up the center demonstrates that China pays a great deal of attention to sustainable transportation. The center will serve as an important platform for international communication and cooperation,” said Shi Baolin, head of the China Academy of Transportation Science, adding that it will be a milestone in China’s promotion of sustainable development in the transportation sector.
“When President Xi announced the establishment of the center, representatives at the conference warmly applauded. I’ve been working in transport technology department for 26 years, I was particularly excited and inspired by his speech,” said Cen Yanqing, deputy director of the technology department of the Ministry of Transport.
China has learned from the experiences of other countries in building its transportation network, and it has developed technologies based on independent innovation. The establishment of the center shows China’s willingness to share its experiences and technologies with other countries in order to promote the sustainable development of global transportation, he added.
It also shows that China will adhere to a spirit of openness and sharing in order to promote global sustainable development, he said.
Thomas Ostrup Moller, Denmark’s ambassador to China, said President Xi made some very good points during the speech at the opening ceremony of the conference.
Premier Li Keqiang has pledged to ensure energy supplies for key manufacturing businesses, saying that the nation is considering the adoption of phased tax cut measures to help smaller firms.
Speaking during a fact-finding tour of Guangdong province on Thursday and Friday, Li highlighted the need to adopt multipronged measures to respond to uncertainties and challenges in energy supply in order to ensure steady economic performance.
Li, who also attended the opening ceremony of the 130th session of the China Import and Export Fair on Thursday afternoon, visited a power plant in Shunde where he inspected its power generation facilities and coal stockpiles.
Electricity is the lifeblood of industrialization and urbanization and the cornerstone of economic growth, he said, urging coal businesses to honor their contracts.
He pledged to safeguard the financing needs of key power generation businesses and to ensure energy supply through methods that are in keeping with market principles.
The nation will continue to take effective measures to prevent the spillover of price hikes in bulk commodities into the lower end of supply chains, Li said.
He added that the nation is set to welcome another bumper grain harvest this year, which will serve as a pillar to ensure the stability of consumer prices and prevent possible inflation.
Li visited Midea Group, a Fortune 500 company, where he learned about the effects of energy shortages on production.
The nation will make tireless efforts in ensuring power supply for both residents and businesses, which can also protect jobs, ensure the stability of industry and supply chains, and guarantee smooth economic activity, he said.
The premier encouraged the company to bolster its investment in research and development, build a stronger brand and continue with the development of processing trade.
At Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Li visited its laboratories and spoke with academicians and professors. He expressed hope that the university can make new achievements in academic research and train more high-caliber talent.
Li also visited an innovation center in Guangzhou and spoke with executives of several startups.
He underlined the significance of enabling more people to start new businesses and engage in innovation activities to meet diversified demand from the public.
The government will continue with reforms aimed at streamlining administration and improving compliance oversight and services to further spur innovation and entrepreneurship, Li added.