As the world’s largest energy consumer, China plays a vital role in shaping the global energy market, said Sobotka, who serves as the co-chair of the Global Battery Alliance. China’s rapid economic growth and urbanization have led to     1     increase in energy demands across various sectors     2     (include) industry, transportation, and residential use, he said. He added that China’s energy consumption affects not only market prices but the demand for different energy sources worldwide. Regarding coal, China is     3     (current) the world’s largest consumer and producer of coal, according to data from the International Energy Alliance. Despite     4     (consist) efforts on energy transition, coal is about     5     (dominate) China’s energy mix due to its abundant domestic reserves and     6     (affordable), he said, adding that this reliance contributes to a high level of greenhouse gas emissions. It is not only China’s energy policies, but its domestic production and imports that have a profound effect     7     global energy markets, he said. In recent years, China     8     (make) substantial investments in renewable energy such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.

Sobotka attended the China Development Forum 2024 in Beijing from Sunday to Monday, during     9     he shared his views with Chinese government officials and entrepreneurs from all over the world. The forum is hosted by the Development Research Center of the State Council     10     organized by the China Development Research Foundation.

Beijing aims to become more     1     (access) for seniors and the disabled. The move is part of the city’s three-year action plan to help people with     2    (disable) to live and work better in the city. The plan     3    (launch) by the Beijing Municipal Government covers 17 projects, including the reconstruction of roads and public transport as the capital     4    (make) an effort to develop into a world-class capital and improve the living Standards of its residents.

Supermarkets, hospitals, parks, schools and public facilities will see major renovations. In addition, 80 percent of bus facilities downtown will have infrastructure     5     place to assist seniors and the disabled by the end of 2021.

Statistics from the China Disabled Persons’ Federation show that China has more than 85 million people     6     need better access to facilities and transportation, including     7     elderly; pregnant women and children.

Construction of accessibility facilities for the capital’s subway is     8    (general) on par with(匹敌)     9     of other countries, and in some cases even more advanced in terms of technology.

Local standards for disabled accessibility in communities, urban rail transit, overpasses and underpasses     10    (release) by the city’s planning and natural resources commission. Further, guidelines to standardize systematic and universal barrier-free spaces on the street have also been formulated.

One year ago, China rolled out the “double reduction” policy to ease the burden of excessive core-subjects homework and off-campus tutoring faced by middle and primary school students. The policy not only allows children more time to rest and play, but also allows them to obtain the nutrition     1    (need) for their all-around moral, intellectual and physical development.

Positive changes     2    (take) place. Compared with a year ago, students now have more independent, diversified     3    (choose) of extracurricular activities to explore, and can develop their interests and abilities,    4     opens up new horizons for them.                 

To Yue Xinyu,    5     third-grader in central China’s Wuhan City, a notable change is that her primary school classes now finish     6    (early) in the afternoon than before. “After class, we can opt for     7    (vary) interest-oriented classes and workshops,” the eight-year-old student said.

Football, basketball, opera classes and clay workshops, are available     8     lower graders, while senior primary students have more alternatives, including     9    (program) and dance.

A dance lover herself, Yue is eager to join the school’s club     10     she becomes old enough. She now takes off-campus Latin dance lessons in her spare time. Gliding on the dance floor makes her feel relaxed and confident, she said.