China determined to reduce energy consumption per GDP(gross domestic product) unit in the 11th Five-Year (2006-2010) program period, which will be the first time China let investment index enter its statistical system.

"This means energy consumption per unit should be reduced by 4.4 percent annually in the next five years," said Yang Weimin, official with State Development and Reform Commission, at an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Energy consumption in China has doubled since the nation's reform and opening up in late 1970s, resulting in a fourfold economic growth during the same period.

China consumed 1.97 billion tons standard coal in 2004, ranking second in the world. However, the nation's energy reserve per capita is much lower than the world average, with oil reserve per capita accounting for merely 11 percent of the world average.

Energy consumption per unit has been decreased by 4 percent annually in the past 25 years, so a reduction rate of 4.4 percent can be achieved in the coming years through efforts, Yang said.

According to him, the major way to achieve energy consumption decrease is to perfect industrial structure, by enhancing energy-saving industries like high-tech and service industries and reducing energy-consuming ones like the iron and steel industry.

Other major ways include popularization of energy-saving technologies and promotion of energy-saving management, he said.

Source: Xinhua