BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan said Tuesday that China will take four measures to reduce energy consumption in construction projects in the following five years.

    Zeng said the measures include rigorously implementing eco-friendly construction standards, refurbishing old buildings to improve energy efficiency, enhancing studies on eco-friendly technology, equipment and materials which will become preferred options in construction projects, and improving the legal system to facilitate energy saving.

    "To construct buildings in an energy-efficient, eco-friendly and intelligent way is an international aim for sustainable development. It is also a key task for China in its economic and social development," Zeng said at the Second International Conference on Intelligent Eco-friendly and Energy Efficient Building. Enditem

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    China to push for energy-saving buildings

    BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China will develop more energy-efficient buildings during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010) in a bid to push for an energy-saving and environment-friendly society, Minister of Construction Wang Guangtao said here Tuesday.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Second International Conference on Intelligent Green and Energy Efficient Building, Wan said the government will give priority to the refurbishment of government buildings and the improvement of their management to make them more energy-efficient.

    China will continue pushing for the reform of urban house heating system. Under the new system, households shall pay heating companies by the amount of heat they actually use, not in accordance with the floor space of their accommodations.

    China will try to impose tougher energy-saving standards in Beijing and other large cities and gradually make such standards national, the minister said, adding that such standards will reduce energy consumption by as much as 65 percent.

    The government will also focus on the development of key technologies such as the refurbishment of old buildings and the construction of environment-friendly buildings, he said.

    In rural areas, priority will be given to the application of wind, solar and other renewable energies, the minister said. Enditem