China has made remarkable strides in energy development over the past 75 years, quickening its green, low-carbon transformation and continuously improving its energy utilization efficiency, a report from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday.
In 2023, China's total primary energy output was 4.83 billion tonnes of standard coal, a 202.6-fold increase from 1949, growing at an average annual rate of 7.4 percent.
The power production capacity has been continuously enhanced, with electricity generation rising from 4.3 billion kWh in 1949 to 9.5 trillion kWh in 2023, representing an average annual growth rate of 11 percent.
China's share of clean power has increased, with hydropower, nuclear, wind and solar power generation and other clean power generation increasing from 44.6 billion kWh in 1978 to 3.2 trillion kWh in 2023, at an average annual growth rate of 10 percent. The proportion of clean energy in the country' s total power generation expanded from 17.4 percent to 33.7 percent during the period.
China's energy consumption has seen steady growth over the past 75 years. In 1953, the country's total energy consumption was just 50 million tonnes of standard coal. The figure rose to 5.72 billion tonnes of standard coal in 2023, representing an average annual growth rate of 6.9 percent.
Energy consumption per capita has also significantly improved. In 1953, China's per capita energy consumption was only 93 kg of standard coal. In 2023, it reached 4,053 kg, an increase of 42.6 times compared to 1953, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5 percent.
China makes strides in energy development over past 75 years
China makes strides in energy development over past 75 years
U.N. Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Thursday called on all members of the U.N. Security Council to exert a positive influence in promoting the easing of tensions between Lebanon and Israel.
Dujarric made the statements in response to the escalating crisis along the Lebanon-Israel border.
"The Secretary-General and senior staff and especially colleagues on the ground have been following the situation very closely in terms of the developments in south Lebanon and in northern Israel. Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, has been in constant contact with all concerned actors to urge for restraint and calm as well as to support diplomatic efforts to end this cycle of violence urgently. We continue to urge the parties to recommit to the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and return to a cessation of hostilities to restore stability. It is important that member states also exercise a positive influence on moving towards de-escalation," he said.
Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border have escalated since Oct 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack the previous day. Israel retaliated with heavy artillery fire toward southern Lebanon.
The Israel-Hebollah tensions have grown even worse after the deadly back-to-back attacks targeting Hezbollah members in Lebanon – with pagers simultaneously exploding across the country on Tuesday, then walkie-talkies detonating in a similar fashion on Wednesday. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the attacks, while Israel has made no response to the charge.
At least 37 people, including children, have been killed in the attacks. Thousands more are injured – many maimed and in critical condition after communications devices exploded in their pockets or in their face.
UN urges member states to promote de-escalation in Lebanon-Israel tensions
