As the second largest consumer of primary energy behind only the U.S., and with 5.5% of the world’s GDP, China consumed 15% of worldwide energy consumption. Between 2000 and 2005, China’s energy consumption rose by 60%, almost half of world energy consumption growth. Renowned energy experts, Dr. Shi Zhengrong, CEO of Suntech and Paul Hanrahan, CEO of The AES Corporation, with moderator Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times, explored the growth of China’s alternative energy sector. They addressed questions regarding the potential role that renewables can play in meeting the challenge of fostering sustainable development in an environment of steeply escalating global energy demand.