As part of its commitment to cut energy consumption and pollution, China will unite with other countries and international organizations in a push to protect the environment, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.

Li sent a congratulatory letter to the Eco Forum Global Annual Conference.

The Eco Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders in the shaping of global, regional and industry agendas. The conference, held in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, invited as speakers a panel of political leaders and ecological experts, including Vice-President Li Yuanchao.

The vice-president spoke at the opening ceremony, stressing that China wants to strengthen communications with other countries in the service of ecological betterment.

Observers applauded the goal, saying that international cooperation is sorely needed in this regard.

"We used to sacrifice the natural environment in exchange for accelerated economic development," said Xu Kun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "We are glad to see the government raising awareness of this issue, because we have paid the price."

Xu said that environmental problems, such as smog in Chinese cities, have driven away overseas talent.

"Fortunately, we are back on the right track, thanks to the human touch from this central leadership," he said.

But there are missing puzzle pieces, Xu said.

"Advanced technologies and education cannot achieve these goals by themselves," he said. "That's why international communication and cooperation is vital."

China has been studying various types of environmental protection, which can reap international rewards, said Professor Wang Canfa of the China University of Political Science and Law.

According to Vice-President Li, the country has been delivering what it promised on energy consumption and pollution reduction, and has made increasing efforts to contribute to the world's ecological safety.

"China is acting to earnestly fulfill its commitments on cutting 16 percent energy intensity per unit GDP, 17 percent carbon energy consumption and 8 to 10 percent discharges of main pollutants during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15)," he said.

China is still in a phase of rapid industrialization and urbanization, and thus faces continuing risks to the environment, but the public has lodged a strong desire to fix these issues, he said.

"We have been taking an active part in environmental pollution control, conscientiously performing duties in international agreements and offering technical support and cultivating talent in developing countries," he added.

Professor Wang said that when looking at the relationship between economic development and environmental protection, the environment is the priority now.

"Governments have realized economic development must make way when there are conflicts of interest.

"The speech from our leadership is a commitment to the world community on behalf of the Chinese government that China clearly defines the ecological civilization construction as the country's fundamental policy," Wang said.

Contact the writers at qiubo@chinadaily.com.cn and yangjun@chinadaily.com.cn

Zhao Kai contributed to this story.