Jan. 29, 2007 (China Knowledge) – Shanghai has targeted its economic growth in 2007 at about 9%, the lowest in 15 years, to aim for more balanced and sustainable economic and social development, Mayor Han Zheng said Sunday.

The eastern metropolis has maintained double-digit growth for 15 years. Last year, its GDP totaled RMB 1.03 trillion, up 12% from 2005.

The city needs to reduce energy consumption and safeguard the environment in its pursuit of economic development; and seek a balance between man and nature, Han said in his government work report.

“Shanghai cannot afford to seek economic development at the cost of its resources and environment,” he stressed.

The city’s spending on environment protection this year will be around 3% of its GDP. It plans to slash energy consumption per unit of GDP by 4% from the 2006 level and reduce pollutant emissions by 2%.