James E. Hansen, head of NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, answers an audience's question at the Climate Dialogue conference in Hong Kong, Nov 3, 2010. [Photo / chinadaily.com.cn]

Hong Kong - Delegates at a conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday speak highly of China's role in fighting against global climate change.

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"China has a very crucial role in determining whether we can overcome the challenges we face to achieve prosperity and peace for future

Martin Lees

generations," Lees said.

China has the opportunity to lead the world on the right track in terms of acting against climate change and building a low-carbon economy, thanks to its enormous investments in carbon-free energy like solar, wind and nuclear power, says James E. Hansen, head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

The country is committed to cut its energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20 percent by the end of its 11th Five-year Plan (2006-2010), said Sun Zhen, deputy counsel of the climate change department of China's National Development and Reform Commission.

The world's second-largest economy has selected five provinces and eight cities across the country to act as pilots in the national program of building low-carbon provinces or cities, said Sun. It is also considering establishing a law against climate change, according to Sun.

Hu Tao

China will continue developing renewable energy during its 12th Five-year Plan (2011-2015), Hu Tao, coordinator of the UN-China Climate Change Partnership Framework Program, said at the conference.

Hu added that the US should stop criticizing China for subsidizing its renewable energy industries. The US should, instead, act with China to develop in this sector, Hu said.

The four-day climate change conference, titled Climate Dialogue: Low Carbon Cities for High Quality Living, began in Hong Kong on Wednesday. It offers a platform for scientists and policy makers to share their views on tackling global climate change.