OREANDA-NEWS. April 18, 2011. China said it would step up efforts to curb investment in coal-to-chemical plants, which is adding to strains on the country's natural resources.

The National Development and Reform Commission said it would temporarily stop the construction of any coal-to-oil projects with annual capacity of no more than 1 million tons, as well as coal-to-natural gas projects with annual capacity of no more than 2 billion cubic meters.

"Some areas are investing heavily in coal-to-chemical projects regardless of conditions, and we have already seen some negative results," the country's powerful economic planner said in a statement published on its website.

Some projects are not running after completion, which wastes precious resources and invested funds, the statement said, adding that such projects conflict with the country's aim to save energy and water while cutting pollution.