The State Council, China's cabinet, called for building an energy-saving society and developing a recycling economy at its executive meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday.

The meeting noted that the demand of energy and resources will increase significantly as China's industrialization, urbanization and modernization press forward. Therefore efficient and recyclable utilization of energy and resources is of crucial importance.

The meeting set forth key tasks for 2005 and 2006 in building an energy-saving society, including conservation of energy, water, raw materials, land resources, and utilization of mineral resources, industrial waste and recyclable resources.

Macro guidance should be strengthened and scientific research and application of new techniques and products should be promoted, said the meeting.

Meanwhile, it also called for deepening reforms so as to perfect policies on energy-saving industries, formulate and emend relevant laws and regulations.

The meeting urged the governments at all levels to set an example in resources conservation.

The meeting also approved Shanghai Pudong New District to be a comprehensive reform pilot which is required to try hard to transform government functions and economy operation and establish an improved socialist market economy.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2005)