China's growing middle class to benefit the world

(Xinhua) Updated: 2013-01-21 13:37

When asked about his administration's efforts to promote the development of clean energy resources, McGuinty said 25 percent electricity generation in his province was coal-based nine years ago when he first became premier. Now it was less than 1 percent.

"We have secured $27 billion of new investment in clean energy industry that creates tens of thousands of new jobs in the clean sector," he said.

He also said people in Ontario had accepted nuclear power as an important part of their energy plan, adding that harnessing the power of wind and the sun was good but it was not enough, and Ontario's half-a-century experience could prove that nuclear power was safe and stable.

On bilateral energy cooperation, McGuinty said the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding for science and technology on Friday, and hopefully that would lead to joint investment in clean energy research.

"There are all kinds of opportunities for us to participate in clean energy cooperation because, ultimately, there is just one air shed ... one water basin ... we all have an interest in it, to do what we can to protect the environment," he said.

Last year, two Chinese students were killed in Canada, triggering concerns over students' safety in the North American nation as more and more Chinese students choose Canada for further studies.

The premier's response was: "We have strong laws in Canada and these laws are enforced. It is very unfortunate that there was a loss of life, and I know that the Canadian authorities will do everything they can to deal with the criminal involved, to prosecute the case and to make sure that a proper penalty is there."

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