China's central government ordered a day without air conditioners on Tuesday as a gesture to exhibit its resolution to cut energy consumption and improve energy efficiency.

The campaign, dubbed "experiencing energy shortage", has drawn the participation of offices and government departments under the State Council.

Beijing was not as sun-burning as previous days on Tuesday, but the overcast weather still made people sweater in the afternoon.

Zhao Hong, who works with the State Administration of Taxation, said he supports the decision to go without the air conditioner for one day, as sweater beads oozes on his forehead.

"The campaign is just a gesture. However, after we feel for ourselves how we are going to suffer without electricity, the value and importance of energy become more real to us," Zhao said in his office.

The campaign is seen by observers as a symbolic move to set an example of energy conservation and a sound publicity measure.

Official statistics show that China's governmental institutions account for five percent of the nation's total annual electricity consumption, equal to the electricity consumed annually by 800 million farmers.

"The campaign allows officials to get first-hand experience of energy shortage, which will promote them to make more sound decisions," said Ding Yuanzhu, a professor with the prestigious Beijing University and a researcher with the National Development and Reform Commission.

"The move is significant to improving decision-making," Ding said.

After many years of fast economic growth, China now faces serious pollution problems and energy shortage.

The challenge of reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions has proved arduous as China's economy grew 11.1 percent in the first quarter but power consumption surged 14.9 percent.

China has set a target of reducing energy consumption for every 10,000 yuan (US$1,298) of GDP by 20 percent by 2010.

But energy consumption fell only 1.23 percent last year, well short of the annual goal of four percent.

Reasons behind the failure, as cited in the government work report released in early March, included slow progress in industrial restructuring and fast growth in sectors that consumed more energy and discharged more pollutants.

Since 2006, the central government has signed accountability documents on energy saving with local governments and major enterprises.

Li Zhong, general manager of a subsidiary of Huaneng Power Group in southern Hainan Province, said the parent company has assigned specific, annual energy saving tasks to him. If he fails, the parent company will ignore all of his other achievements this year.

An increasing number of rural enterprises have voluntarily made pledges to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, said Bai Jinming, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture.

"The experiencing campaign will play a positive role in helping to build and enhance awareness of energy saving in the whole society," said professor Ding.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2007)