China to push private investment in energy

A Chinese government white paper revealed plans to open the country’s mostly state-run energy industry to more private investment, Reuters reported, citing Xinhua News Agency. China intends to allow market forces greater sway in the energy sector and set out a number of potential private investment areas, said the policy paper, which was published Wednesday. Possible investment targets include renewables, oil and natural gas pipelines, oil refining and the electricity sector. “All projects listed in the national energy program, except those forbidden by laws or regulations, are open to private capital,” the paper said. China also unveiled the latest five-year plan for the energy sector Wednesday, which involves the approval of a small number of new nuclear reactors, ending a 20-month moratorium on plant construction after Japan’s Fukushima crisis, Reuters reported.