Feike Sijbesma, Chairman and CEO of DSM: The Chinese government in recent period has shown strong resolve to address climate change and fight pollution. We hope step by step Beijing will get cleaner air. My question is what are the challenges China is facing in addressing climate change and pollution? And while addressing that, can you maintain your economic growth? Or is pollution a precondition for maintaining economic growth?
Li Keqiang: As we both have only limited time, allow me to give a brief answer to your question. The biggest challenge China faces in controlling pollution is that China is still a large developing country, yet it needs to shift the growth model and assume due international responsibilities in tackling climate change. There is a certain conflict of interests, and we need to strike a balance between the two. Not long ago, China announced its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution. China faces tremendous pressure in meeting these goals and will have to make enormous efforts. However, now that we have made those commitments, we will deliver on our commitment with concrete actions.
The Chinese government is taking steps to advance ecological conservation. In particular, we are intensifying efforts to save energy, cut emissions and control pollution. In the first half of this year, we managed to bring down per unit GDP energy consumption by 5.9%. We will continue to shift the growth model and promote green development. As China steps up efforts in environmental protection, the growth speed may have been affected. This may have caused concerns that the economy is slowing down and the real economy is being affected. We are working hard to foster green and energy-efficient industries that can be new drivers of growth, such as "Internet plus" and other new business models and industries. But again this needs a process.
Thank you.
Patrice Motsepe, Founder and Executive Chairman of African Rainbow Minerals: China's economic development has contributed to the success of many economies in the world. Africa, in particular, has benefited immensely from China's economic growth. So we want China to continue succeeding, because the world needs China to continue succeeding. You have repeatedly said that urbanization is the biggest driver of China's economic development. China's urbanization is facing new challenges like transport, infrastructure construction and the real estate market. How will the Chinese government push forward the new urbanization strategy? And how can foreign companies contribute to this process?
Li Keqiang: The current urbanization rate in China stands at about 55%. Among residents in urban areas, a large portion of them are not permanent urban residents, but a floating population. There will be a long process for China to achieve urbanization amidst the pursuit of industrialization. This also represents enormous space of domestic demand in China. China's rapid urbanization has not been all problem-free. For example, we still have about 100 million people living in urban rundown areas. These people deserve more decent living conditions. So we will continue to rebuild these run-down areas on a large scale. We will also further improve our underground infrastructure. In this respect, we need to draw on the experience of countries that have completed urbanization. We are taking steps to enhance urban underground utility pipeline network.
We also need to improve our urban development plans. China and the EU have established a partnership on urbanization. We wish to draw on the experience of both developed and developing countries, and enhance international cooperation in urbanization. I believe that each country has its own unique strength and comparative advantage to offer in this process.
The Cape of Good Hope in South Africa is very well known to the Chinese people. I visited a local company in Dalian this morning which actually named itself after this place in South Africa, hoping that this name will help the company attract more talented people and gain more managerial expertise and technology. China wants to work with South Africa to enhance our cooperation for win-win results.
Thank you.
