Jin also said that the country's top 10 energy-saving programmes, sewage and drainage systems in western cities and the closure of polluting factories in poor regions would receive support.

The top 10 energy-saving programmes, designated by the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic planning agency, range from environmentally friendly lighting to furnace upgrades.

In a statement on the ministry's Web site, Jin said China would also adjust resource and energy tax policies, to charge more on pollutants and encourage energy-efficient production.

After long pursuing growth at almost any cost, China is increasingly focusing on cleaning up its environment and making its economy less resource-intensive.

The country reduced its energy consumption per unit of economic output by 1.33 percent in 2006 -- far from its goal of 4 percent.

All provinces and regions except for Beijing missed their energy saving targets last year.