BEIJING - A Chinese expert has stressed the need to clean up coal use and improve its efficiency as the traditional fuel will long continue to dominate China's energy mix.

Despite efforts to reduce its share in energy consumption, coal will continue to be widely used, Xie Kechang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said Saturday during an energy forum.

Coal accounts for 97 percent of the country's proven fossil energy reserves and around 60 percent of energy consumption.

"Getting rid of coal completely will not work. Coal can also be clean energy if utilized in a clean and efficient way," Xie said.

Aware of the situation, the government has rolled out measures, including encouraging clean coal technology, to improve coal quality and cut greenhouse gas emissions of coal-firing power plants.

Xie believes China should mainly promote clean coal by 2020 and then foster the use of renewable energy sources by 2030.

"From 2030 to 2050, a new energy mix will take shape, consisting of 40 percent coal, 30 percent oil and natural gas, and 30 percent non-fossil fuels," said Xie.