BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wants to see more private investment in energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Li made the comments during a meeting with foreign members of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing on Thursday.

He underscored the great potential of the market, saying that the two sectors would become pillars for economic growth.

China is at a key stage of developing its economy in a sustainable and healthy way through transformation and upgrading, the premier said. The purpose of development is to serve the people's lives. Environmental protection has become an important issue, with the public demanding a better environment.

The Chinese government pays close attention to the relationship between development and environmental protection and strives to balance them, he said.

Li emphasized that the Chinese government will streamline administration and delegate power to lower levels, create a fair environment for competition, implement the policy on pollution prevention and supervision, control pollution in a transparent way and rely more on the market to fight pollution.

There is only one Earth, he said, expressing China's willingness to work with the international community to exchange ideas, strengthen cooperation in technology and make joint efforts for ecological improvement.

China welcomes and values any advice that can help the country with its environmental protection and development, the premier said.

Peter Kent, executive vice chairman of CCICED and member of the Canadian Parliament, commended China's efforts in pollution control and said the international community is willing to increase cooperation with China to achieve green development.