Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has called for effective measures to ensure the implementation of the government's energy saving policies.

Speaking at a meeting on energy development on Thursday, Wen said energy saving deserves equal attention to that on energy exploitation, and should be regarded as one of the country's foremost tasks.

Great efforts must be made to develop renewable energy, increase energy supply and adjust energy demand, he said.

Though the nationwide energy shortage has been eased since last year, the situation is still tough, and the shortage will continue for a long time, the national energy development leading group said in a circular released after the meeting.

The country must accelerate the adjustment of its economic structure and the transformation of its economic growth mode, the circular noted.

It said industries with high energy cost must give priority to saving measures, and energy-saving technologies must be promoted.

It is also necessary to improve the technological standards of the country's energy industry and to further improve legislation on energy development, the circular said.

The meeting also reviewed the draft national medium and long-term plan for the development of renewable energy.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2006)