If Hong Kong, which is known for its fabulous efficiency, can get along with this mode of transportation, so can all cities in the country.

And what is the point of promoting low-density houses for the newly rich in our cities when land is such a scarce resource? We can save a lot of fuel and electricity if we design our high-rise apartments with better insulation, better airflow and more sunlight.

The rooftops can be covered with grass and scrubs to create more greenery, together with solar panels and mini-windmills to further save electricity bills.

We should take measures to cut down cigarette and alcohol consumption in our country. Together with a more traditional low protein diet and regular exercise, we can better support our aged population, which will soon be bigger than the overall population of the US.

Learning from the lessons of developed countries, we should switch over to this new and healthier mode of consumption early. Because once we get addicted to the current mode, it will be extremely painful to shake it off.

Developing along this alternative consumption route, our industries will have to develop in a different direction in order to serve the new demand.

Our country can then continue to grow in a more self-reliant manner and without further damage to the environment. We will be offering products and services that are quite unique, and are better geared to serving the needs of the world's future.

The market for these environmentally friendly products and services will go beyond the imagination once they are marketed to the mainstream population and are no longer niche products. By then, China's peaceful rise will be utterly credible, and it will be wholeheartedly welcomed by the world.

The author is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee from Hong Kong.

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