The Chinese government Friday vowed to "positively explore" new ways for low-carbon development in order to effectively control greenhouse gas emission and contribute to the global sustainable development.

According to a statement released after a meeting held Friday by the Chinese national leadership team on combating climate change, China will list new goals in the 12th Five-Year Program (2011-2015), including reducing carbon dioxide emission and the energy consumption per unit of GDP.

According to the new five-year program proposal, China will make progressive efforts to boost energy efficiency, promote low-carbon technology, and establish carbon trade markets.

"China, as a responsible country, always supports jointly coping with the challenges of climate change through solid and effective international cooperation," said the statement.

China will strengthen the implementation of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, and stick to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," said the statement.

China has promised to cut its carbon intensity by 40 to 45 percent by the year 2020 compared with the 2005 level, a target Premier Wen Jiabao said would require "arduous efforts."

The meeting was presided over by Premier Wen.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2010)