China Today (English)

Clean Energy Keeps Developing

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Clean energy accounted for 22.2 percent of China’s total primary energy consumptio­n in 2018, up 7.7 percentage points from 2012, but still coming short of the targets of 25 percent for 2020 and 35 percent for 2030, Lin Shanqing, deputy chief of China’s National Energy Administra­tion, said in Berlin on April 9.

Lin attended the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) and gave a speech at a sub-forum. He said that as the world’s largest energy producer and consumer, China pursues innovative, coordinate­d, green, open, and shared developmen­t, and has achieved many positive results in energy transition and developmen­t.

However, new problems always emerge along with the progress of energy transition. During the transition, China has encountere­d challenges brought about by global climate change, ecological protection, imbalanced energy structure, etc.

Lin said China has formed three strategies in response to these challenges. First, increase the share of clean energy through a structural adjustment of energy consumptio­n. Second, reduce the cost of clean energy through technologi­cal innovation. Third, develop renewable energy that is not confined only to certain places.

To encourage Chinese language learning and cultural exchanges, the first Chinese singing contest was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, on April 7. More than 50 students from all over Bulgaria participat­ed in the event, which was organized by the Confucius Institute in Sofia.

Danail Stoyanov stood first among the participan­ts in the contest, which was also dedicated to the 70th anniversar­y of the establishm­ent of diplomatic relations between China and Bulgaria.

The 18-year-old Stoyanov has participat­ed in various competitio­ns related to China. He won the 10th “Chinese Bridge” – Chinese Proficienc­y Competitio­n for Foreign Secondary School Students – in 2017.

“The exchange of students between the two countries has been increasing year on year. Cultural exchange and education cooperatio­n are important pillars in bilateral relations,” said Dong Xiaojun, Chinese ambassador to Bulgaria.

According to Professor Anastas Gerdjikov, rector of the Sofia University, cultural exchanges are important activities that link the two peoples together; the singing contest is just one of many examples of how culture can make two peoples come together.

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