The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) held a press conference on August 17. The spokesperson gave a briefing on the approval of investment projects, the change of energy consumption in various regions in the first half of this year, the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and answered questions from the journalists. China Trade News noted that in order to better play the key role of effective investment, the National Development and Reform Commission, together with relevant departments and local governments, is earnestly implementing the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and The State Council, and making scientific and effective efforts to strengthen weak links and stabilize investment. At the same time, the spokesperson pointed out the shortcomings in the work of some localities, industries and enterprises regarding the "double carbon" target in the recent period.
In the face of changes in the current stable economic operation and new problems and challenges at home and abroad, it is crucial to ensure stable investment and give full play to the key role of investment in stabilizing economic growth. This includes strengthening weak links in infrastructure and other areas, maintaining stable and effective investment, constantly improving the efficiency of investment, and strengthening weak links of development. Ultimately, this is to promote high-quality economic development. Going forward, the National Development and Reform Commission will focus on strengthening weak links and stabilizing investment in five areas.
First, we will actively promote the implementation of major projects identified in the 14th Five-Year Plan. To play its leading role, we will promptly create a mechanism for major project implementation propulsion, the "difference" plan for the 102 major projects further subdivided into specific projects, form listing, strengthening elements, pushing the project, start to do a batch and put into production, reserve a batch.
Second, we will adopt a combination of measures to stabilize investment in the manufacturing sector. On the one hand, we will actively support investment in advanced manufacturing, constantly improve and make good use of mechanisms such as "unveiling the list" and "horse racing", and accelerate efforts to strengthen weak links in the industrial and supply chains. On the other hand, we should guide enterprises to increase investment in technological transformation, strengthen the guidance and incentive of carbon emission reduction policies in traditional manufacturing industries, and promote green and low-carbon investment. At the same time, we will take a comprehensive approach to ease the upward pressure on commodity prices, implement various cost reduction policies, and give middle and downstream manufacturing companies more incentive to invest.
Third, do a good job in the preliminary work of the project. The key point is to urge local governments to increase investment in the preliminary work of the project, and to make the preliminary work deeper, more detailed, and more practical. In accordance with the law, we will speed up the procedures for project approval, approval and filing, land use, planning, and environmental impact assessment, and accelerate preparations for land requisition, demolition, and municipal supporting facilities, so as to ensure that a number of projects are ready to start work as soon as possible. At the same time, we will deepen the reform of "delegating power, streamlining administration and providing services" in the investment sector, and improve the efficiency of work in the early stage of projects.
Fourth, we will give full play to the guiding role of government investment. With regard to investment from the central budget, we will speed up the implementation of the plan, organize ahead of schedule the preparation of next year's investment plan from the central budget, and concentrate our efforts on major tasks, difficult tasks and urgent tasks. In terms of local government special bonds, the National Development and Reform Commission will guide and urge local governments to prepare high-quality special bond projects in the second half of this year and the first half of next year, so as to ensure that after the issuance of special bonds, projects can be put into construction in a timely manner and the actual amount of work can be formed as soon as possible.
Fifth, we will further motivate private investment. To better leverage the role of an efficient market, we will continue to improve policies to support the participation of private capital and attract private capital to strengthen areas of weakness, such as municipal administration, transportation, ecological environment, and social programs. We will standardize and promote public-private partnership (PPP) models, steadily carry out trials of real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the infrastructure sector, revitalize stock assets, and create a virtuous cycle of investment.
Experts said in an interview with our reporter that in the first half of this year, fixed asset investment continued to recover and the investment structure was further optimized, especially the investment in high-tech manufacturing industry increased significantly, which had a certain driving effect. This is mainly related to the recent favorable policies of the country, which has enhanced the investment confidence of enterprises. It is expected that this part of the investment impetus will be further enhanced. In addition, the central and local governments have actively promoted the construction of major projects, which has also played a leading role in promoting the sustainable growth of effective investment. In the second half of the year, China's special bond issuance will accelerate, which will effectively promote the growth of infrastructure investment, 5G, ultra-high voltage, new energy, Internet of things and other related infrastructure construction will welcome good news.
The spokesperson pointed out that the "deviation" in the process of implementing the "double carbon" target is mainly reflected in three aspects: first, the target is set too high and out of touch with reality. Some places, industries and enterprises are eager to "grab the first prize" and put forward goals beyond the development stage; In some places, energy-intensive projects have been shut down across the board. Some financial institutions suddenly cut off loans to coal and power projects. Second, the action to curb the "high energy, High Energy and High Energy consumption" is weak. Curbing the blind development of the "two high carbon" projects is the top priority and priority of the current "two carbon" work, but some local slogans loud, slow action, some even illegal construction of the "two high carbon" projects, the problem is prominent. Third, the foundation for conserving energy and reducing emissions is not solid. Some localities do not pay enough attention to energy conservation and emission reduction, and the implementation of "double control" on energy consumption is ineffective. Some industries do not do a solid job in structural energy conservation, technology energy conservation, management energy conservation, but hope that a certain technology to solve the problem once and for all; Some organizations are catching the heat, and carbon neutral "hats" are flying around.
In response, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) will issue an action plan to reach a peak in carbon emissions by 2030 as soon as possible, insisting on a national game of game. It will not only correct the campaign of "carbon reduction", but also resolutely curb the blind development of "high-emission, high-emission, high-emission" projects.
