China aims for universal energy service

BEIJING - Chinese government said Wednesday that it will make greater efforts to promote equal access to basic energy service by all.

China will balance energy development in both urban and rural areas, enhance energy infrastructure in rural and border regions and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities, according to a white paper on China's energy policy released Wednesday by the Information Office of the State Council.

The Chinese government will beef up fiscal spending to basically ensure that electricity is accessible to all by 2015.

The government will provide extra funding to Tibet for its electric power development, with direct investment between 2011 and 2015 exceeding 900 million yuan, the white paper says.

The country will further improve energy conditions in urban areas. Natural gas supply networks will be built or improved in cities so that more urban residents will gain access to natural gas, according to the white paper.