HOUSTON - The secretary general of the International Energy Forum (IEF) said Tuesday that it's very important for China to continue to improve energy efficiency towards energy security.

If China achieves its energy efficiency to the level of Germany, China would reduce its energy consumption by 50 percent, Xiansheng Sun told Xinhua at CERAWeek held by the London-based information company IHS Markit.

"That's a real big number. Of course, it's a long way to go for China, including paying efforts in awareness of energy efficiency and some other education, for example, urging people not to choose big house or big car."

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said Monday that China will continue to be a main driving force for the growth of global oil demand.

According to Sun, the imports of crude oil and gas accounted for about 68 percent and over 39 percent, respectively, of China's consumption in 2017. "It's a serious challenge facing China today," he said.

Sun took up the post as IEF secretary general in 2016. The IEF countries account for around 90 percent of global oil and gas supply and demand.

CERAWeek, which kicked off on Monday in the US city of Houston, is an annual energy meeting featuring prominent speakers from energy, technology and financial sectors. This year's meeting attracts more than 3,000 guests from over 50 countries and regions.