At the First International Intelligent and Green Building Technologies and Products Conference & Exposition, China's first "Green Expo" that ended here recently, refurbished 70-year-old German houses known as "3-Liter Houses" aroused enormous interest among visitors.
   
A "3-Liter House" consumes only three liters of heating oil per square meter -- a sevenfold savings -- by using green products from roof to floor.
   
The call of the world-wide "green building" movement surfaced not long ago, because of deteriorating global environmental conditions caused in part by the impact of building construction and operation. Many international companies are investing heavily in this field. German-based chemical giant BASF, which renovated the houses in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is one of them.
   
Johnny Kwan, managing director of the BASF China Company Limited, said, "BASF is more than willing to contribute its technology to the renovation of old houses in China to make them more energy-efficient and comfortable."
   
Cui Zhong, a Chinese environmental expert, told Xinhua that the"3-Liter House" technology is a good fit for China, where large-scale rebuilding activities are seen everywhere. "China can learn a lot from this German technology in upgrading old towns and houses," he said.
   
China, the world's largest construction market, has realized the environmental problems brought about by excess construction and is eagerly seeking sustainable solutions.
   
In his key-note speech, Minister Wang Guangtao of Construction said that China is openly inviting advanced new products and technologies from the world to be applied in China and in return, "the huge, booming construction market of China will offer unprecedented business opportunities for all companies who are of interest."

The Chinese government has set the goal of energy saving by 50 percent for buildings in cities and towns across China till 2010, and 65 percent for all buildings till 2020. From 1987 relevant laws began to come out and regulate the industry. A complete guideline for Green Buildings will be issued by this year.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2005)