Thrust on refining, ethene projects

China will boost oil-refining capacities and start large-scale ethene projects in the coastal areas by 2010, a national plan detailed yesterday said.

The central government listed the projects in the 'Petrochemical Stimulus Plan', which was unveiled yesterday.

According to the plan, China will build three or four oil refining bases in the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and Bohai Sea-rim economic zone, which contribute nearly 60 percent to China's economy. The oil refining bases will have a minimum refining capacity of 20 million tons each.