Asian Development Bank: China can help drive economic growth across region

China remains a major driver for economic growth in Asia, but ecological and environmental issues still top the nation's major challenges, said Hamid Sharif, the Asian Development Bank's country director for China.

The pace of the growth moderation in China conforms to the bank's expectations. China will remain a driver for the region's growth despite the slight drop in the first quarter, Sharif said in an interview with China Daily in Guiyang, Guizhou.

The bank maintains its forecast for China's economic growth at 7.5 percent for this year and 7.4 percent for 2015, said a report released by the bank on Friday.

"In the long run, China will grow more slowly, but in comparison with the performance of some developed countries, it's still doing well. As the economy gets bigger, the base is getting bigger, too, and high-speed growth will be more difficult," he said.

Trying to achieve a balance between economic growth and ecological and environmental problems remains the biggest challenge facing China, said Sharif.

Although the Chinese public is increasingly concerned about environmental issues such as air and water quality, it will take time for local officials to change the way they operate.

Because officials have been evaluated by GDP growth for many years, a new evaluation system that puts greater emphasis on the environment will take years for local officials to adapt to, he said.

"It takes time, but the good thing is that the message has gone down to all levels," he said.

The ADB is working with local governments on various projects including clean coal technology, carbon capture, renewable energy and waste energy projects.