China's top legislature is to dispatch teams to inspect the implementation of the Energy Conservation Law in selected provinces and regions.

 

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) will send five teams to 10 provinces and regions, where they will invite local NPC deputies and experts to join the inspection.

 

The inspections will focus on the implementation of national regulations on energy conservation and conservation in key consuming industries and constructions.

 

Work units with an annual coal consumption above 10,000 tons and energy conservation in big cities will also be inspected.

 

China's energy sector faced severe challenges posed by rapidly rising consumption and a growing gap between supply and demand, said NPC Vice-Chairman Wang Zhaoguo at the first working meeting of the inspection teams on Thursday.

 

The purpose of the inspections was to raise awareness of energy conservation, support and push the government to fulfill its responsibilities, and improve management and working mechanisms, he said.

 

The inspections would identify problems and raise suggestions for amendments to the 1998 Energy Conservation Law, Wang said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2006)