Vice premier Zeng Peiyan on Tuesday called for increased efforts on energy conservation and reduction of pollutant emissions in order to build China into an environment-friendly country.

"Global warming has had a huge impact on the eco-system and mankind's living conditions," said Zeng. "Attaching great importance to this issue, China has released national plans to address climate change, energy saving and pollutant discharge reduction."

Noting that China's overall environmental situation is far from satisfactory, Zeng said the government has kicked off a campaign to ensure the elimination of high-energy consuming and heavy-polluting industries.

"Whether we can meet strict energy efficiency and pollutant reduction targets is a matter that concerns every citizen, every corporation and every community in China, so it is a task that requires the efforts of every strata of society," Zeng said.

Zeng also called for efforts to be made to adjust industrial structure, improve technology, increase conservation spending and strengthen monitoring.

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2007)