This week, government officials in Beijing are expected to endure half a day without air-conditioning in office in an "experiencing energy-shortage" activity. 

The activity is part of an initiative by the Government Offices Administration of the State Council, or the general logistics department of the cabinet, during the national "energy conservation promotion week" that ends on June 18.

Theme of the week is to "mobilize all sectors to build an energy conservation-minded society". The organizers, namely the National Development and Reform Commission and six other government agencies, stressed direct participation by individuals as well as more publicity work in the campaign.

China has experienced serious energy shortage in recent years. Last year, 24 provinces suffered temporary regional brownouts as the country faced a 40 million kilowatt gap between electricity supply and demand.

Industry insiders say the situation will ease a bit in 2005, but brownouts had already occurred in 24 provinces in the first quarter.

On streets of major cities, volunteers disseminate leaflets on energy conservation knowledge to passers-by. Television, newspaper, radio and Internet websites devote much time or space on the grave energy situation.

Government and non-governmental organizations appealed to the public to form good habits, including turning off the light and other electrical appliances on leaving the room, using energy-saving electrical appliances and using solar heaters.

The Beijing municipal government has called on citizens to report serious cases of excessive energy consumption, like use of banned sub-standard electrical appliances and keeping lights on even in daytime, to relevant departments.

Ma Kai, minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission, said in late April China is likely to experience a maximum of 25 million kilowatt gap in electricity supply this year. The worst shortages will happen in east China, south China and north China.

The energy shortage, analysts say, is caused by the dual factors of China's fast economic growth and inefficient use of energy. There's much room for improvement in the field of conservation.

Researchers believe China has a great potential in energy conservation: the country can save 300 million tons of standard coal of energy a year, or the equivalent of 18 percent of China's total energy consumption in 2003. The likely target areas include fuel efficiency of trucks, construction technology and household electrical appliances.

Chinese leaders say energy supply is a crucial factor to determine whether China can sustain rapid economic growth in the first 20 years of this century. While accelerating energy production, China also must promote awareness of energy conservation in all sectors of society.

Speaking on the eve of the "energy conservation promotion week", vice-premier Zeng Peiyan listed a series of measures to promote energy conservation, which include supporting the development of low-energy consumption industries, encouraging the application of energy-conservation technology, enforcing more rigorous energy-conservation standards and raising energy prices so that they could better reflect the reality of energy situation.

He also asked relevant departments to beef up publicity of the necessity and means of energy conservation among the public.

In fact, Chinese citizens have already felt the acute pinch of the energy situation. Latest statistics show that in Beijing nine of the best selling sedans in May are of economy types that consume less oil. 

Editor: Yan