"Shanxi will not increase coal production in next five years," said Yu Youjun, governor of China's biggest coal mining province.

Explaining an ambitious blueprint his provincial government are endeaving for, Yu emphasized his point to domestic Internet media journalists who are invited to promote the province's image.

"Shanxi's coal production will not increase during the country's Eleven's Five-Year-Plan (2006-2010)," Yu said. "The environment is not able to sustain more production, and we need to maintain a coal price favorable to us."

The governor's words might not be good news to China's soaring energy thirsty, but have abundant reasons for the development of his province. Excessive mining inside the province to feed China's consistent and speedy development have caused unstopping casualties and severely harmed local environment.

According to the governor, the province had spent four months last year closing 4,876 small mines, most of them illegal. They hope to close 1,300-1,400 more legal but inefficient mines this year.

The number of Shanxi's coalmine has sharply shrunk from last's years 9,000 to 3,000 this year. However, Yu believe this is not the end of road for Shanxi's industrial future.

"Seventy per cent of China's chemical products are produced from crude oil", Yu said. "So, I see the big opportunities for coal chemistry, which have already been able to provide most of what the oil can."

"In addition, the coal chemistry is more environment-friendly and could operate at a relatively low cost, since the international oil price remains strong," a confident Yu explained.

Another aspect Yu is pound of and determined to utilize is Shanxi's abundant tourist resources. Shanxi tops all Chinese provinces on remaining ancient buildings, while neighboring Shaanxi Province has biggest underground treasures.

"Most of Shanxi's tourist resorts are not fully industrialized," Yu believed it the biggest reason for the province the under-developed tourist industry. Another reason is the backward accommodation facilities. "Taiyuan, the provincial capital, have only one five-star hotel, while a small town in south Chinese Guangdong Province may have more."

Yu, in his 50's, used to be mayor of Shenzhen, China's most famous economic zone. His frankness, courage and passion were known by his citizens no matter in the south or north.

He used to talk with an Internet writer face to face for two hours after the writer's influential article "Who abandons Shenzhen" cast a widespread shadow on the Southern Chinese City's future. Instead of a blunt blocking, his deftly dealing won his applause.