For China, the world's most populous nation, it is important to find a balance between the ever-increasing demand for energy and the conservation of energy resources and protection of environment.

The second white paper on energy published on Thursday outlines the country's energy saving achievements and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the past five years and clarifies the nation's energy policy for the coming years.

The energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product dropped by 20.7 percent from 2006 to 2011, and by eliminating small thermal power stations with a total generating capacity of 80 million kilowatts, the coal consumption per kilowatt hour decreased 10 percent by 2011 from the 2006 level.