In a case of duelling forums, Shanghai played host yesterday to a high-level conference on the challenges facing the mainland and the rest of Asia.
At the Shanghai Forum, a top development official said the mainland planned to develop nuclear power to ease power shortages.
'The energy crisis has brought a big challenge to the country's goal of achieving sustainable economic growth,' Zhou Dadi , the head of the National Development and Reform Commission's energy research institute, was quoted as saying by state media.
Mr Zhou said the government was making efforts to seek new sources of energy, and nuclear power was an option. 'Nuclear power will play a key role in future energy supply in China,' he said.
China's former chief World Trade Organisation negotiator, Long Yongtu , responded to frequent trade disputes with other countries by appealing for 'rational understanding'.
'It is wrong to conclude that China's trade environment is worse,' Mr Long said.