Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan has urged more efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution in a bid to achieve a sustainable economic and social development.

The local authorities should step up efforts to rein in the growth of the highly polluting energy gorging industries and eliminate the out-dated production facilities, Zeng said on trips to the northeastern province of Jilin and northwestern province of Gansu.

The vice-premier noted that local governments should strive to develop a circular economy and strengthen environmental protection on water, air and soil, especially on the water sources of the Yellow River and Songhuajiang River.

"It's one of the government's top priorities to guarantee low-rent housing for low income earners," he added.

Zeng called the two provinces to unveil preferential capital, tax and land policies to support the development of low-rent housing and take all necessary measures to curb the runaway housing prices.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2007)