Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said Thursday that he believes January 1 would be a good date to put in place a fuel tax and implement other pricing reforms, state media reported. The State Coucil had already discussed the subject last week and decided to make the draft plan available for public comment. Analysts have said that the continuing drop in world oil prices presents a good opportunity for adding a tax and implementing other reforms. China’s energy sector, in particular its fuel refineries, have been awaiting more detail on the timing and implementation of such reforms.