CHINA TO INTENSIFY ENERGY SAVING AND EMISSION REDUCTION CONTROL

BEIJING, March 10 (Bernama) -- China will intensify energy conservation and
emission reduction controls in the industrial, construction, transport, service
and agricultural sectors to ensure that it achieves 10 per cent reduction of
emissions of major pollutants by year end.

Xie Zhenhua, Vice-Minister of the National Development and Reform
Commission, told a news conference on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the
National People's Congress, that this was part of the nine steps taken to build
an energy-saving, ecologically friendly society.

"Outdated production capacity steel production and power plants will be
phased out," he said.

The government would introduce reforms on resource tariffs, which also
included imposing taxes on energy-intensive and high-emission businesses, he
added.

It would also promote a recycling economy and expedite deployment of
low-emission and energy-saving technologies and products such as air
conditioners, light bulbs, vehicles and motors.

Xie said that apart from the existing 50 billion yuan fund from the finance
ministry, another 33.3 billion yuan would be allocated from the central budget
to carry out related projects.

"The relevant authorities will carry out assessment from time to time on
the works carried out by provinces to ensure their committment on energy
conservation and emission reduction measures," he said.

More educational campaigns would be carried out to broaden public awareness
on ernegy saving and cutting down of carbon emisssion.
-- BERNAMA