Energy use declines in China during 2014

Energy use per unit of GDP - a measure of the energy efficiency of a nation's economy - is expected to decline by up to 4.7 percent in China iin 2014, according to a leading official at the country's top economic planner, signaling changes in the structure of the world's second-largest economy and the impact of slower economic growth.

The forecast is higher than the 3.9 percent target set at the beginning of the year, and just higher than the 4.6 percent fall recorded for the first three quarters of 2014.

Xie Zhenhua, vice-chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, said China's economic transformation requires specific energy structure adjustments to be made.