UNITED NATIONS, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese enterprises have made great efforts to promote green development and become more economical and environment-friendly, a Chinese official said here Wednesday.

Wang Zhongyu, president of China Enterprise Confederation, made the remarks in his address to the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010, which was held under the theme of "builing a new era of sustainability."

"Chinese enterprises have made enormous efforts to promote technological innovation, clean production, green development and recycling economy, strived to build economical and environment-friendly enterprises," he said.

These enterprises have also constantly focused on product quality, production safety, and protection of the rights and interests of the workers and consumers. That has greatly contributed to China's economic and social development, added Wang, who is also president of the China Entrepreneurs Association.

He said during the first four years of the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" (2006-2010), China's cumulative energy consumption per unit of GDP fell by 14.38 percent, while chemical oxygen demand and sulfur dioxide emissions dropped by 9.66 percent and 13.14 percent, respectively.

"China has made remarkable achievements in economic development and social progress since it adopted the reform and opening-up policy 30 years ago," he said.

"However, we are also clearly aware of the fact that China still has a long way to go...And it remains an arduous task to promote a balanced economic and social development."

Launched in July 2000, the Global Compact is a principle-based UN initiative which serves as both a policy platform and a practical framework for companies that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practices.

"As the largest business association in China, the China Enterprise Confederation was the first national employers' organization in the world to support the UN Global Compact," Wang said.

"In 2001, we established the first national network of the Global Compact. We have also set up a special office for the promotion of the Global Compact."

At present, 213 Chinese enterprises and organizations have joined the Global Compact, while more enterprises have incorporated into their development strategies the principles of the Global Compact and turned them into their management philosophy and practice.