The "China City Research Report on Key Issues of Twelfth Five-year (2011-2015) Plan" was issued at the China City Forum 2009 Beijing Summit on October 17, 2009. This report was compiled by the International Institute for Urban Development of Beijing, taking two years to finish. Future economy, population and labor management, and urban development are the main issues posed by the report.

The China City Forum 2009 Beijing Summit is being held at the Chaoyang Art Museum in Beijing. [Ni Yuanjin/China.org.cn]

The research group leader, Professor Lian Yuming from the International Institute for Urban Development of Beijing, emphasized several key words as the features of China's economy in the 2011-2015 period.

Low-carbon economy

A low-carbon concept will lead economic development and make cities greener in the nation's next five-year (2011-2015) plan, according to the China City Forum. Urban planning experts expect Beijing to take the lead in establishing a low-carbon city.

Addressing the opening session of the UN climate summit on September 22 in New York, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced that China will adopt a further integration of actions on climate change into its economic and social development plan. It will also step up the effort to develop a greener, low-carbon circular economy, as well as enhancing research, development and dissemination of climate-friendly technologies.

As for confronting climate change and the financial crisis, establishing a low-carbon city may arouse a new energy and industrial revolution and change the way we live. Population, traffic, environmental and energy issues restrict sustainable development in such metropolises as Beijing and Shanghai. Thus, promoting low-carbon economic growth is the most-needed solution for those big cities.

Upgrade industries

Strategic new industries will become a main force in upgrading the industry according to the twelfth five-year (2011-2015) plan. In China, some new industries include the new energy sources industry, the power-frugal and environmental protection industry, bio-industry, and the new materials industry.

Urban disease

During the period of next five year (2011-2015) plan, Chinese cities are embracing a crucial development while urban diseases will be prominent. By 2030, urban population will reach 1 billion and urban diseases such as active labor force employment pressure, aging population pressure, transient population increase and the spread and breakout of AIDS will add a high cost to urban public services.

High sex ratio at birth

Ever since the 1970s, China has been implementing birth control policies, but preference for giving births to boys is still predominant in Chinese culture. China's sex ratio at birth is climbing, from 107.6 in 1982, 111.3 in 1990 and 116.9 in 2000 to 120 at present, compared with the international average that lies between 105 and 107.

High sex ratio at birth leads to gender imbalance, but the Chinese government will control the number with all its strength, according to Zhang Chunsheng, chief of Transient Population Department, National Population and Family Planning Commission.

Active labor force

During the 2011-2015 period, the demographic bonus will remain; it is estimated that the active labor force (aged 15 to 64) can still reach 1 billion by 2020. Employment remains a big issue confronting upgrade industries and international competition.

By 2050, China's age composition in the population will appear to be "cup-shaped" and China will become an aging society. Therefore, solving the problem of employment and rural labor transformation will be a tough challenge.

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