Mr. Zhang Guobao, Vice Director of the National Development and Reform Commission, confirmed on October 27 that hydropower has been top on the agenda of China's energy strategy.

He explained that the country's increasing demand for energy, fueled by the steady growth of the economy, has resulted inflating crude oil import on one hand and the shortfall of coal and power supply on the other. But only 25 percent of the water resources has been exploited, he added.

The next two decades would be an important journey for China on its way to a comprehensive well-off society, said Zhang. The country's economy will keep running at an annual pace of some 7.2 percent to have its GDP double by 2020, he noted.

International experience has told him that as the country was gearing up its industrialization process, it would need more energy to sustain its growth. Then, he concluded, it would be a tall order either to build or to develop the energy system.

Zhang made the remarks at the UN International Forum on Hydropower and Sustainable Development.

By People's Daily Online