CHINA aims to improve energy efficiency in its industrial sector by 21 percent by 2015 from 2010's level.

The target, released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology yesterday, will translate into a saving that's equivalent to 670 million tons of standard coal.

The industrial sector is the biggest energy user in China, accounting for 73 percent of the nation's total energy consumption in 2010, against 70.9 percent in 2005, according to the ministry.

Energy consumption per unit of industrial output fell 26 percent in the five years through 2010, as the government has been phasing out obsolete capacity in energy-intensive sectors.

The ministry noted that the industrial sector faces daunting challenges posed by changes in the international business environment.

"Some developed nations have been announcing higher requirements in terms of energy efficiency and carbon footprint on products they import," the ministry said. "China's manufacturing sector, especially in the low and middle-end of the value chain, consumes much resources and energy, so exports could face huge pressure."