China will take its responsibilities seriously and contribute to the global cause of environmental protection, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing on Friday.

Wen discussed global climate change with visiting German President Horst Koehler, and stressed China's resolve in shouldering its responsibility.

"The Chinese government will take concrete measures in energy saving and pollution control and try to meet the targets set in the 11th Five-Year Plan," Wen said.

The Chinese government last year set the goal of reducing energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product by 20 percent and major pollutants discharge by 10 percent by the end of the decade.

Koehler appreciated the efforts of the Chinese government in coping with some global issues including climate change. He said Germany would cooperate further with China on the issue.

During Koehler's visit in southwest China's Yunnan Province, the first leg of his China tour, he visited a photovoltaic solar power station jointly constructed by the two countries, saying it is a good example of bilateral cooperation.

China and Germany are also working on a project involving clean energy for automobiles. 
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2007)