A senior US environmental official praised a rural alternative energy program in southwest China's Yunnan Province during his visit in Lijiang, Yunan Province on Wednesday.

The program was initiated by the Nature Conservancy based in Washington D.C. and Chinese government agencies to tackle indoor air pollution by introducing biogas and solar energy and environment-friendly cookers in rural areas.

Steven Johnson, administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said the program was dedicated to using energy in a more healthy and sustainable way.

The Chinese and US governments shared the same vision and commitment in promoting new energy use in rural areas, he acknowledged. "Both governments care a lot about the health of the young mothers and their children in rural areas".

Jin Yinlong, a researcher with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "In rural China, 20 percent of respiratory illnesses are caused by indoor cooking smoke pollution."

The new stoves could reduce carbon monoxide emissions and breathable particles by 71 percent and 67 percent respectively, said Lu Yunwen, an engineer with the Yunnan Provincial Environmental Analysis and Testing Center.

Located 26 km from the scenic city of Lijiang and home to a World Heritage list site, Haixi village boasts 100 percent use of the new stoves and 80 of its 224 households have biogas facilities.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2006)