China aware of domestic energy challenges: official

Green initiatives, technological advance and international cooperation are crucial to increasing the efficient use of energy in China, said a Chinese official here Tuesday.

At the ongoing World Energy Forum 2012 in Dubai, Jin Xiaoming, director-general of the Department of International Cooperation of China's Science and Technology Ministry, said "there is still a considerable gap between China and developed countries in energy efficiency and capabilities."

In order to narrow this gap, China has launched a number of nationwide initiatives which go beyond implementing emission filters at factories.

"We have launched a host of energy efficiency of furnaces, electric mechanical equipment, buildings and lighting," Jin said.

Beijing also reached out to the United States and the European Union (EU) to exchange know-how in the field of reducing energy consumption.

Jin meanwhile invited the participating 2,000 delegates from over 100 countries at the forum to join China in fighting carbon emission and improving energy efficiency.