A greener recovery

The steady decline in energy intensity may spark hopes of China's economic turnaround being greener than expected. Low energy intensity indicates lower price or cost of converting energy into GDP.

Though it is too early to take this trend for granted, it still can give Chinese policymakers a much-needed shot in the arm.

Latest statistics show China cut its use of energy per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2.89 percent in the first quarter over the same period last year.