60
J. Wu and H. Zhao
and e-commerce should be encouraged. The percentage of transportation and
real estate within the tertiary industry should be adjusted downward to reduce
carbon emissions.
(3) Spur technological innovation in energy conservation and emission reduction
to curtail energy intensity, which brings tremendous impact on carbon dioxide
emissions. It’s essential to drive innovation in energy-saving technologies and
reduce energy intensity, especially in the production sector. Some technologies
of the production sector remain in the concept stage, and will take some time
for their practical applications. This brings the need to ramp up research on
the integration of multiple energy sources in the energy system with heavier
R&D investments in key technologies. Capitalize on the research resources and
strength of environmental protection agencies, research institutes and universities to encourage private investments in new technologies. Central China sees
the highest energy intensity among the three regions, which might be attributed
to the industrial transfer, especially the transfer of heavy and chemical industries to the central cities from the east. Therefore, energy conservation and
emission reduction efforts in the central region should focus on the secondary
industry, cutting the direct carbon emissions of energy-intensive sectors by
phasing out backward production capacity, optimizing energy consumption mix
and developing environmental protection industries.
(4) Open up wider to the outside world to attract more foreign investments. It has
been found that existing foreign investment projects have failed to produce
major impact on carbon emissions reduction. In the future, China is advised to
encourage FDI projects to match its urbanization needs on reasonable conditions
of environmental protection. In recent years, Chinese authorities have promulgated Notice on Measures to Expand Opening-up and Actively Use Foreign
Capital, Notice on Measures to Promote Foreign Investment, and Notice on the
Positive and Effective Use of Foreign Capital for High Quality Economic Development, which mainly aim to substantially open up service sectors, fully liberalize general manufacturing industry, ease or remove the cap on foreign holdings in companies in some areas, loosen or cancel restrictions of business scope,
vigorously promote investment facilitation, put domestic and foreign companies on a level playing field, propel innovation at national development zones,
strengthen utilization of foreign capital, allow local governments to formulate incentives to attract investment within statutory limits of their authority.
Leverage data, the new production factor, to create an efficient and convenient
foreign investment supervision framework in the future, enhance connectivity
of the information management systems of the Ministry of Commerce, industrial authorities, Ministry of Finance, customs administrations, foreign exchange
administrations, tax bureaus, etc, thereby ensuring cross-departmental sharing
of information regarding foreign-invested enterprises from their establishment
to operation.
(5) Change the mindset of urban planning to accommodate the concept of smart
cities. Upgrade the industrial structure of core cities without changing the central
position of urban agglomerations. This would strengthen the cost advantage of
J. Wu and H. Zhao
and e-commerce should be encouraged. The percentage of transportation and
real estate within the tertiary industry should be adjusted downward to reduce
carbon emissions.
(3) Spur technological innovation in energy conservation and emission reduction
to curtail energy intensity, which brings tremendous impact on carbon dioxide
emissions. It’s essential to drive innovation in energy-saving technologies and
reduce energy intensity, especially in the production sector. Some technologies
of the production sector remain in the concept stage, and will take some time
for their practical applications. This brings the need to ramp up research on
the integration of multiple energy sources in the energy system with heavier
R&D investments in key technologies. Capitalize on the research resources and
strength of environmental protection agencies, research institutes and universities to encourage private investments in new technologies. Central China sees
the highest energy intensity among the three regions, which might be attributed
to the industrial transfer, especially the transfer of heavy and chemical industries to the central cities from the east. Therefore, energy conservation and
emission reduction efforts in the central region should focus on the secondary
industry, cutting the direct carbon emissions of energy-intensive sectors by
phasing out backward production capacity, optimizing energy consumption mix
and developing environmental protection industries.
(4) Open up wider to the outside world to attract more foreign investments. It has
been found that existing foreign investment projects have failed to produce
major impact on carbon emissions reduction. In the future, China is advised to
encourage FDI projects to match its urbanization needs on reasonable conditions
of environmental protection. In recent years, Chinese authorities have promulgated Notice on Measures to Expand Opening-up and Actively Use Foreign
Capital, Notice on Measures to Promote Foreign Investment, and Notice on the
Positive and Effective Use of Foreign Capital for High Quality Economic Development, which mainly aim to substantially open up service sectors, fully liberalize general manufacturing industry, ease or remove the cap on foreign holdings in companies in some areas, loosen or cancel restrictions of business scope,
vigorously promote investment facilitation, put domestic and foreign companies on a level playing field, propel innovation at national development zones,
strengthen utilization of foreign capital, allow local governments to formulate incentives to attract investment within statutory limits of their authority.
Leverage data, the new production factor, to create an efficient and convenient
foreign investment supervision framework in the future, enhance connectivity
of the information management systems of the Ministry of Commerce, industrial authorities, Ministry of Finance, customs administrations, foreign exchange
administrations, tax bureaus, etc, thereby ensuring cross-departmental sharing
of information regarding foreign-invested enterprises from their establishment
to operation.
(5) Change the mindset of urban planning to accommodate the concept of smart
cities. Upgrade the industrial structure of core cities without changing the central
position of urban agglomerations. This would strengthen the cost advantage of