Beijing's municipal departments are asked to cut energy consumption by eight percent this year, Zhang Gong, vice-chairman of Beijing's Development and Reform Commission said at a forum here Friday.

A recent survey by the commission showed that per-capita electric power consumption in the municipal and strict government departments is seven times the average amount consumed by ordinary residents, with per capita energy consumption being four times the city's average level.

Leaving the office without turning off computer, setting the temperature of the air-conditioner as low as 18 centigrade in the sweltering summer days are just a few examples of energy waste common in the China's government offices.

Xun Huanzhong, deputy director of the Government Offices Administration of the State Council, said at the forum China has listed energy-saving work in government officers as one of the ten key energy-saving projects in the coming five years.

New government office buildings built after 2005 must be energy- efficient, said Xun. Government departments should also purchase vehicles that consuming much less fuel.

The State Development and Reform Commission made a government procurement list with eight kinds of energy-efficient products at the end of 2004, including air-conditioner, refrigerator, television, computer, printer, lighting products, water tap and toilet.

Source: Xinhua