Vice Premier Li Keqiang Thursday underscored the development of energy-saving industries and pushing for advancement in optimization of energy structure to ensure the country's energy supply and safety.

Li made the remarks while visiting the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, one of the country's major ship manufacturers.

He also stressed the importance of improving energy technology and energy equipment development, and called for efforts to step up transfer of economic development mode to maintain stable and relatively fast economic growth.

Li said a country's energy safety and development depend on advanced technologies and equipment. "We should step up innovation and grab the commanding height in energy development and international competition."

Li praised achievements in energy field that China has made in the past years, urging efforts to further upgrade energy consumption structure, and to develop renewable and clean energy, and establish a stable, safe and clean energy supply system.

He also stressed the policy support to energy development and called for wide application of energy-saving technologies and products, as well as expanding energy technology consultations to foster new economic growth area.

He also urged efforts to ensure energy supply to meet people's needs and production demand for coal, gas, and oil in cold weather.

On Wednesday, China established the first batch of national energy development and research centers. The 16 centers will research and study technologies of nuclear power equipment, wind power, and smart grid, among others.

Zhang Guobao, head of the National Administration of Energy, said these research centers play important role in establishing the country's energy technology system, and meeting China's demand to upgrade energy consumption structure.

(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2010)