Address by State Leaders

　　Summary of the Address by General Party Secretary Hu Jintao at the Meeting of the Central Government on the Work of Population, Resources and Environment

　　Hu Jintao, General Secretary of Communist Party of China made an important speech at the Meeting of the Central Government on the Work of Population, Resources and Environment on March 12. He emphasized that implementing the outlook of scientific development and further adjusting economic structure and change the economic development mode is the fundamental approach to ease the pressure on population, resources and environment and realize sustainable and harmonious development of economy and society in an all round way. We should speed up the adjustment of improper economic structure, change the extensive economic growth mode, enjoy economic growth on the basis of the improvement of population quality, highly efficient use of resources, decrease of environmental pollution and focusing on both the quality and benefits so as to build an environmental-friendly society that saves resources.

　　Hu Jintao emphasized that adjusting economic structure and changing economic growth mode is the inevitable requirements for implementing the outlook of scientific development. We must clearly recognize the extreme importance of adjusting economic structure and changing economic growth mode in alleviating the pressure on population, resources and environment and realizing sustainable development in an all round way. Therefore, we should place our emphasis on adjusting economic structure and changing economic growth mode. We should put more emphasis on adjusting the investment structure, optimizing the input proportion and mode of various production elements, highlight and do well each work concerning resource saving, environmental protection and ecological improvement in the process of promoting socio-economic development. In doing so, we will follow the new road of industrialization and facilitate a good circulation of socio-economic development.

　　Hu Jintao stressed that, after concerted efforts of the whole party and the whole country, great achievements have been made in the work of population, resources and environment of China. However, at the same time there are still striking problems concerning the overall situation of economic and social development of China in the field of population, resources and environment. We should pay great attention to those problems and seriously solve them. At present and in future years, we should implement the outlook of scientific development in the work on population, resources and environment; focus on the key elements and facilitate it in an all round way in the light of the requirements for adjusting economic structure and changing economic growth mode in order to obtain greater achievements. When we conduct population and family planning work, we should actively explore new thinking and approaches for our activities; continue our sound study on the strategy of population development; strive for the rise of population quality on the basis of stable low birth rate; raise the level of family planning techniques and service and make continuous our efforts in solving the problem of increasingly high proportion of new born male babies. As for the work of land resources, we should meet the requirements for building a conservation oriented society; actively explore new mechanism in the administration of national land resources; put each land-management measure into place; save and use land in an intensive way; protect arable land especially basic farmland; enhance resource management; raise the efficiency of resources; and protect and employ well mineral resources rich in China. In terms of environmental protection work, we should redouble our efforts in facilitating circular economy; accelerating clean production; enhancing the work on pollution control and ecological conservation.  For the work of water resources, we should take protecting the source of drinking water and making access to clean water as our top priority. In addition, we should improve the management system for water resources, actively promote state-of-art water saving technique and enhance the prevention of flood and drought as well as water conservation projects.

　　Summary of the Address by Premier Wen Jiabao at the Meeting of the Central Government on the Work of Population, Resources and Environment

　　Premier Wen Jiabao made an important speech at the Meeting of the Central Government on the Work of Population, Resources and Environment on March 12. He pointed out that we should adhere to applying the outlook of scientific development to guide the overall economic and social development; combine the work on population, resources and environment with appropriate macro-economic regulation and the deepening of the reform; accelerate the adjustment of economic structure and change of economic growth mode; maintain low birth rate; enhance the management on resource development and comprehensive utilization; redouble our efforts in environmental protection and ecological development; facilitate overall, coordinated and sustainable development of our economy and society and build China into a harmonious society.

　　In his address, Premier Wen emphasized several components that we should do well this year:

　　1) Continue our good work on population and family planning. We should create new thinking and mechanisms centered on maintaining low birth rate. With the summary of the experience from awarding and supporting some of the rural families that conduct family planning policy and from poverty alleviation trial project of "bring up less children and you can be rich soon", we would improve the system, streamlining the operation and expanding the trial.

　　2) Enhance land management and protect basic farmland resources and the rights and interests of rural residents. We should earnestly implement the "Decision of the State Council on Deepening Reform and Strictly Managing Land Resources"; strengthen the planning and administration for land use; strictly standardize the review and approval of land use for construction projects; set up more stringent criteria and conditions for land use; make good overall plan for land development and deepen the reform on land requisitioning system.

　　3) Carry out activities to save energy and resources, accelerate the development of a conservation society. We should place equal emphasis on resource development and resource saving and take saving as the first priority. With the application of economic, legal and necessary administrative measures, we must make significant progress in saving energy and resources.

　　4) Streamline and standardize the development of mineral resources and enhance the management on mineral resource development. We will conduct special activities on streamlining mineral resources development with the focus on coal mines.

　　5) Solve environmental pollution problems that impose severe threats to public health. We should take practical measures to prevent and control water pollution, speed up the control of urban air pollution, set up stringent environmental criteria for construction projects and strictly enforce environmental laws and regulations.

　　6) Enhance the development of key ecological projects. We will continue the project of building a natural shelter; promote the development of shelter system dominated by the "Northeast, North and Northwest Shelters" project and raise the forest coverage.

　　Premier Wen called for that leaders at all levels should, based on the requirements for implementing the outlook of scientific development and building China into a harmonious society, build up the sense of urgency and responsibility in the work on population, resources and environment; facilitate the reform and innovation; depend upon the advance of science and technology; double the efforts in law enforcement and strengthen promotion activities. In combination of formulating the Eleventh Five-Year Plan and the development goal of 2020, each region and department should actively map out an appropriate plan for the work on population, resources and environment of the future 5 to 15 years.

　　Activities of CCICED

　　• New Council Members of CCICED

　　According to relevant rules of CCICED, the Bureau of CCICED approved to invite Mr. Li Jiayang, Vice President of Chinese Academy of Sciences as a Chinese member and Mr. Brende, Minister of Trade and Industry of Norway as an international member of CCICED.

　　•Mr. Zhu Guangyao Met with the Lead Experts Group of CCICED

　　Mr. Zhu Guangyao, Vice Minister of SEPA and Secretary General of CCICED met with Mr. Shen Guofang, the Chinese Lead Expert of CCICED (Vice President of Chinese Academy of Engineering), and the International Lead Expert Dr. Hanson on January 14, 2005. He listened to the introduction of the work of the Lead Experts Group and presented three hopes for the Lead Experts Group: 1 Pay great attention to the Task Forces that will submit their working report on 2005 AGM. There are discrepancies among the progress of each Task Force, so we should strengthen specific guidance to each Task Force so as to ensure their presentation of high-level research findings on 2005 AGM.  2 Present as soon as possible the proposals to the Bureau of CCICED on the establishment of new Task Forces that will present their working reports at 2006 AGM.  3 The working group of Lead Experts is small in number but very capable and efficient. It should make full use of its advantages and track the work progress of each Task Force in time. Meanwhile, it should place higher and stricter requirements for the quality of the findings of each Task Force from the perspective of Lead Expert. Mr. Zhu asked the Secretariat to provide good service for the Lead Experts Group just as before.

　　• Mr. Xu Qinghua Met with Canadian Embassy Officials

　　Mr. Xu Qinghua, Deputy Secretary-General of CCICED and Director General of the Department of International Cooperation of SEPA met with Mr. Kent Smith, the new counselor of Canadian Embassy in Beijing on January 20, 2005. The two parties exchanged views on such aspects as the following-up work of the Third Meeting of the CCICED, capacity building for each Task Force and the Secretariat as well as the vision for CCICED and expressed their willingness to enhance communications on the information concerning CCICED.

　　Activities of the Lead Experts Group

　　• Lead Experts Group held the first working meeting

　　The Lead Experts Group held the first working meeting this year on January 14-15, 2005 in Beijing. The Lead Experts Prof. Shen Guofang and Dr. Hanson, Vice Chairman of CCICED Mr. Lonnorth, representative of the Secretariat, Mr. Earl Drake, Director of the Secretariat Canadian Office and all staff of the Chinese Lead Expert working group attended the meeting. According to the requirements of the Lead Experts Group, the Chinese co-chairs or representatives of the Task Forces that will present their working report in 2005 AGM took part in this meeting and introduced research progress of their Task Forces. Participants of the meeting discussed such topics as the Task Forces which would report to the AGM in 2005, 2005 Annual General Meeting (AGM), the proposed new Task Force of 2006 and the 2006 AGM.

　　Task Forces of 2005 and 2005 AGM  The work of the Task Force on Environment and Natural Resource Pricing and Taxation and the Task Force on Sustainable Transportation have enjoyed good progress. Over the past two months, The Task Force on Sustainable Urbanization Strategy also has a good beginning. The Task Force on Sustainable Urbanization Strategy is the key Task Force at 2005 AGM. The Lead Experts Group would keep close contacts with this Task Force as before.

　　While the Task Force on Circular Economy and the Task Force on Economic Growth and Environment confront with some difficulties in their work. However, after necessary efforts, their study gradually follows the right path.

　　Task Forces of 2006 and 2006 AGM  According to 2006 AGM Theme "A Well-off Society and the Approach of Scientific Development" and the proposals submitted by relevant parties, it is proposed to the Bureau of CCICED to approve the establishment of the following Task Forces (TFs) apart from the Task Force on Economic Growth and Environment that will present its work report in 2006:

　　Ecological compensation mechanism and policies

　　China's sustainable development in global market

　　Environmental governing capacity 

　　The Lead Experts suggest that a one-day special meeting should be held before the holding of the 2006 Annual General Meeting of CCICED.

　　Activities of the Secretariat

　　• Changes of the contact information of the Secretariat　

　　The secretariat of CCICED has moved to its previous office building. The new contact information are as follows:

　　Tel:  Mr. Guo Jing 86 (10) 6655 6542　　  E-mail:guo.jing@sepa.gov.cn

　　Mr. Wang Kezhong 86 (10) 6655 6541 E-mail:wang.kezhong@sepa.gov.cn

　　Ms. Zhu Yun 86 (10) 6655 6538　　  E-mail:zhu.yun@sepa.gov.cn

　　Ms. Lu Xueyun 86 (10) 6655 6540　  E-mail:lu.xueyun@sepa.gov.cn

　　Fax:86 (10) 6655 6539　　　　　　  Postal Code:100035

　　Address:Room 627, SEPA Building, No.115, Xizhimennei Nanxiaojie, Beijing

　　The Secretariat held Task Force Liaison Meeting 

　　On the morning of March 24, 2005, CCICED Secretariat organized the Task Force Liaison Work Meeting in Beijing. The major agenda of the meeting was as follows: 1) TFs brief the meeting the progress of researches on relevant projects, the preparations for work reports/recommendations and financial supports; 2) Listen to the opinions and suggestions from the TFs on the work of the Secretariat; 3) Members of Lead Experts Group inform of the suggestions from the Lead Experts Group to TFs; 4) The Secretariat notifies this year's working plan of CCICED as well as the progress that has been made. The participants of the meeting included liaison person of the TF on Sustainable Urbanization, TF on Circular Economy, TF on Sustainable Transportation, TF on Environment and Natural Resources Pricing and Taxation, and TF on Economic Growth and Environment; Liaison persons for the projects on environmental governing capability, ecological compensation mechanism and China's sustainable development in global market (those programs have been initially reviewed by Lead Experts); and some members from Lead Experts Group.

　　The brief presentations of the liaisons indicated that TFs are unfolding their work on schedule, that TF on Sustainable Urbanization Strategy Research, TF on Circular Economy, TF on Sustainable Transport, TF on Environment and Natural Resources Pricing and Taxation, which will report to 2005 AGM, are able to submit their work reports and policy recommendations on time, and that TF on Economic Growth and Environment can present to 2005 AGM mid-term report timely on indication systems for assessing environmental performance of local officials. The above-mentioned TFs submit writing materials on their progress ( in both Chinese and English versions). 

　　In order to facilitate information exchange and communications, and keep relevant sectors informed of the working progress of CCICED, the Secretariat asked all TFs to present a monthly report on the progress of their program (in both Chinese and English versions), based on which the CCICED Update will be complied and distributed to relevant sectors by E-mail. The Secretariat will also earnestly study Rules and Regulations of CCICED, so as to raise working efficiency of CCICED and further regulate and improve working mechanism among the Secretariat, all TFs and Lead Experts.

　　The Secretariat reiterated its major responsibilities to the participants at the meeting as follows: first, play the role of bridging TFs, Lead Experts and the Bureau by means of information communication; second, provide support and services for relevant sectors of CCICED in an effective way. The Secretariat expresses its hope to make closer information contact with all TFs and enhance communications and coordination.

　　•The Secretariat held the Briefing Reception

　　On March 31, CCICED's Secretariat held its first Briefing Reception of this year in Beijing to brief and ask advice of the donor governments and organizations on CCICED's recent progress and its main plans in 2005. 

　　Invited to the reception were delegates from foreign delegations in China, such as Canada, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, German, UK, Italy and Holland's embassies in China, Delegation of the European Commission to China, United Nations Environment Program China Office, Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) China, German Development Cooperation (GTZ), Sino-Italian Cooperation Program for Environmental Protection, and Shell China Limited.  Deputy Secretary General Mr. Xu Qinghua attended the reception and introduced CCICED's progress to the guests.

　　Foreign delegates showed great interests in the timely information briefing by the Secretariat and sang high praise for this form of information exchanging, which they said could largely promote their government's understanding and support of CCICED's works.  They also expressed their expectation for the Secretariat to keep them well informed of CCICED's future works through all methods.

　　Progress on Task Forces

　　TF on Environment, Natural Resources Pricing and Taxation

　　--The TF paid a visit to the Department of Regional Economy of NDRC to exchange the views on how to achieve multi-purpose of regional development, poverty alleviation and environmental and natural resources protection in the early January, 2005.

　　--The TF had an internal meeting on January 8, 2005 to review the progress of all component under this task force, and reached an agreement on the next visit to Hong Kong for internal discussion and government consultation.

　　--A field trip was taken to Tongzhou, Yanqing and Miyun to further investigate the irrigation related issues from January 15 to 24, 2005.

　　--A field trip was taken to Sanjiang to investigate National Nature Reserve Financial Mechanism and some cases to show linkage between natural resources conservation, exploitation and poverty alleviation during January 17-24, 2005.

　　--A field trip was taken to Tianzhu of Guizhou in February 2005 to collect the information regarding logging bans.

　　--The TF held a working meeting in Hong Kong for an internal discussion on the first draft of executive summary, and consulted with the officials of Hong Kong Special Administrative Government on Environment Fiscal and Pricing System during March 11-17, 2005.

　　--The TF is to hold a workshop on May 13, 2005 in Beijing as planned, discussing the report and asking for the comments from all relevant sectors.

　　TF on Sustainable Transport

　　--Delegation of the TF attended the 84th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting during January 9-11, 2005 in Washington DC. The delegation attended the sessions of transportation environment, and urban transportation. The existing problems of China's transportation sustainable development and international experiences were discussed. It also held its second work meeting there.

　　--In February 2005, member of the TF participated in the Conference on Sustainable Transport of Developing Countries in Abu Dhabi, penetrating into topics on transport environment, health and sustainable development.

　　--The Chinese Experts Meeting was held in Beijing in February 2005. The issues on institutional innovations of comprehensive transportation, fuel tax and public transport policies were discussed.

　　--Meetings on the full report writing will be held on April 10 and May 10, 2005 respectively.

　　--An international forum will be held on June 28, 2005 to discuss the primary research achievements and explore the international experience and lessons.

　　--The 3rd TF working meeting is about to be held in Beijing to discuss the final policy recommendations in July, 2005.

　　TF on Circular Economy

　　--The TF experts had a field trip to Shandong, Anhui, Chongqing and Guiyang respectively from September 2004 to January 2005.

　　--The TF went to Denmark and Germany to hold an investigation in November 2004 and convened the 2nd working meeting during November 13-14 in Germany.

　　--The 3rd working meeting was held in Beijing during January 16-18, 2005.

　　--So far, 6 draft sub-working-reports have been finished which include Financing Mechanism of Material Cycles, Benchmarking in Waste Management, Priority Domains Option for Circular Economy Development, Circular Economy: Economic Mechanism and System Innovation, Actuality Appraisal and Policy Frame Design to Develop Circular Economy in China, International Experiences in Circular Economy Development, and Long-term Economic Development Trend and Environment Stress in China.

　　--The 4th working meeting was held in Beijing during April 24-25, 2005.

　　--The 5th working meeting is to be held in Kenya during July 24-29, 2005.

　　TF on Sustainable Urbanization Strategy

　　--The TF has four main topics to discuss including migration and job creation, sustainable resources use in a regional perspective, integrated urban-rural growth that meets sustainability criteria, and involvement of people and private sector in the urbanization process through participatory governance structures.

　　--The TF 1st kick-off meeting was held in Sweden to discuss the future work plan during January 4-5, 2005.

　　--The TF 2nd working meeting was held in Beijing to identify the key scope of the research and its final work plan during March 3-6, 2005. The study area will cover Beijing-Tianjin-northern Hebei Province area. The policy recommendation should be drawn from the case study findings through using 4 different scenarios as a hub.

　　--The 3rd working meeting is going to be held in Beijing in June 2005.

　　TF on Economic Growth and Environment

　　--The Chinese Experts meeting was held in Beijing to discuss the main research components on January 26, 2005.

　　--The candidates for international co-chair and members of this TF are still under the discussion with international Lead Expert and expected to be decided in April.

　　--The working meeting is to be held in May in Beijing.