China to subsidize energy-saving home appliances

BEIJING - China will subsidize use of energy-saving desktop computers and air-conditioners in its latest effort to save energy and boost domestic demand, the Ministry of Finance told Xinhua Sunday.

The country will earmark 14 billion yuan ($2.22 billion) in subsidies to encourage purchases of 6 types of energy-saving products, including desktop computers, air-conditioners, fans, water pumps, compressors and transformers.

The subsidy program will operate for one year and help raise the market share of the energy-saving products to more than 40 percent, the ministry said, without disclosing when the program will start.