China aims to cut its oil and coal dependency and increase its use of alternative-energy sources over the next five years, the Wall Street Journal reported. China unveiled the plan Monday as part of its 2006-2010 five-year plan, which is expected to be approved next month. The "alternative oil strategy" calls for a doubling in the use of renewable energy sources – such as wind, hydro and solar power – to 15% of the country's energy needs by 2020. The number of nuclear-power plants will rise from nine to 30 in the same period, and there will be vast investments in new technologies to turn coal into synthetic oil. Beijing is also looking to modify the nation's tightly controlled gasoline-pricing system so that it better reflects high international prices and can encourage conservation.
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