China's emission cuts take a back seat to economic growth this year, say experts

China decided to forgo an energy intensity reduction target this year. - AFP

BEIJING, March 5 (The Straits Times/ANN): In a break from its usual practice, China has not set a target for how much it intends to lower its energy intensity this year - a sign that Beijing could be prioritising economic growth over emission cuts for now.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said energy intensity reductions - referring to energy consumption per unit of economic output - would be assessed over the five-year period of 2021 to 2025 to allow for "appropriate flexibility".