The 2010 World Expo in Shanghai must be a clean and green event, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has told organisers, reflecting the central government's push to promote sustainable development. "We need to bear in mind the concept of energy saving, pollution control and sustainable development in the design and building of World Expo venues and facilities," the state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Wen as saying.
"Given that the theme of the Shanghai World Expo is 'better city, better life', Shanghai should strike a balance between hosting the event and long-term social and economic development."
Wen made his comments this week during an inspection of the facilities under construction, according to a report released by Xinhua late Wednesday.
Shanghai officials have said they expect to attract 70 million people to the Expo, which will be staged from May to October 2010, at a cost of billions of dollars.
Wen and other Chinese leaders have recently given indications that they are working harder to limit the environmental devastation that is accompanying the nation's extraordinary economic growth.
State press reported last month that Wen would head a new task force aimed at ensuring China's environmental goals are met.
Wen warned then that China needed to cut energy consumption and pollution, and that much tougher action needed to be taken.
The task force was set up after China missed its targets to cut pollution and improve energy efficiency in 2006, the first in a five-year plan that many see as crucial in the nation's efforts to combat climate change.
Source: Agence France-Presse
