China will develop more energy-efficient buildings during the 11th Five-Year Guidelines period (2006-2010) in line with its plans to foster an energy-saving and environment-friendly society, Minister of Construction Wang Guangtao said in Beijing Tuesday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Second International Conference on Intelligent Green and Energy Efficient Buildings, Wang 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 to work towards reforming the urban house-heating system. Under the new proposed system, charges will be based on usage and not on floor space.

Tougher energy-saving standards could be imposed in Beijing and other large cities and such standards would gradually be implemented nationally, 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 when refurbishing old buildings and constructing environment-friendly ones, he said.

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

(China Daily March 29, 2006)