“Ｇｒｅｅｎ Ｐｏｗｅｒ”ｉｎｔｏ Ｎａｔｉｏｎａｌ Ｅｃｏｎｏｍｙ

In the wake of the outbreak of the financial crisis, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon repeatedly warned that the crisis might dent global efforts to fight climate change and environmental degradation.

However, Ban should feel relieved when he learns that China has invested heavily in environmentally-friendly sectors to achieve sustainable development by boosting green economy despite the crisis which has gravely strained liquidity.

In Chinas 4-trillion-yuan stimulus package, 580 billion yuan would go to green projects like energy-efficient and pollution-control programs, ecological approach and technological innovations to fight climate change.

Through years of green endeavors, China has surpassed some advanced nations in such areas as wind and solar power.

China outnumbered the United States in new wind turbines built in the first half of 2009, Reuters quoted specialists Azure International as saying.

Reuters also reported that Chinas wind industry installed about 4.5 gigawatts of new power generating capacity through the first half of this year, while the United States added 4 gigawatts, citing figures from the American Wind Energy Association.

The data above was in line with the prediction of Steve Sawyer, secretary general of the Global Wind Energy Council. Sawyer had earlier expected China to become the worlds top wind turbine manufacturer this year.

China has made equally impressive headway in solar industry. It took up about one third of global solar cell production in 2008 while Europes share declined to about a quarter, according to a survey by German industry publication Photon.

Some analysts believe China is creating more “green collar” jobs than ever by adopting green strategy. With vigorous growth in both production and application of environmentally-friendly devices, China is becoming a green contributor to the world.

“A low-carbon economy is the mainstream thinking,” said Wu Changhua, China director of the London-based environment body The Climate Group, citing Chinas support for low-carbon LED lighting and electric cars as well as wind and solar.

In Wus view, the nation is winning the race to be a major player in green economy.

Chinas low-carbon drive has started to pay off.

Chinas energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) declined 3.35 percent year on year through the first half of this year, said a statement issued earlier in August by the countrys National Development and Reform Commission.

The energy consumption of major industrial manufacturers per unit of added value slipped 11.35 percent, added the statement.

The commission also said it predicted a 5-percent fall in Chinas sulfur dioxide emissions in the first half, and a 2-percent decline in its chemical oxygen demand (COD).

Chinas achievement in developing green economy deserves recognition, said Ban Ki-moon in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Ban commended Chinas efforts to invest in renewable energy and reduce emissions. He expressed the belief that China would set a good example for the developing world.