In addition, the central government will earmark 14.8 billion yuan for environmentally friendly construction projects, the China Daily said, citing a statement by the finance ministry.

"This year is crucial for accomplishing the targets for energy use and pollution cuts during the 2006 to 2010 period," said the statement, which was posted on the ministry's website on Monday.

China has set a target for the period 2006 to 2010 of reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20 percent, and cutting sulfur dioxide emissions and chemical oxygen demand by 10 percent each from the levels in 2005.

The statement said the government is considering launching tax policies to reduce energy consumption and pollution.

The country may also seek to regulate pollution via the market by making waste-discharge and emission rights tradable, it added.

The drive has encountered stubborn resistance in the booming industrial sector and local officials who consider economic growth and job creation a more important priority than environmental protection.

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