Energy plan approved

Energy conservation must be a top priority for and new sources of power generation need to be explored, the State Council, China's cabinet, announced. Approving an energy development plan from 2004 to 2020, the council said that while coal would remain the basis for much of China's power needs, oil, gas and other sources must be developed. It called for a nationwide coordination of energy projects and said China should look to develop local as well as overseas energy resources, as well as taking advantage of emerging technologies. The council also said energy security needed to be improved.