The Chinese government is to promote the large-scale application of the oil alternative "gasohol" to alleviate its energy shortage, said Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan on Monday.

Gasohol is a fuel mixture of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol, which can be mass-produced by fermentation of sugar or starch.

At a State Council meeting to discuss the development of energy substitutes, Zeng said the government would raise the proportion of alternative energies in the total energy consumption.

Projects covering liquefied coal, bio-diesel, marsh gas, solar energy, wind power, and hydropower would also be encouraged, he said.

The government would give more support in taxation and loans to ensure the rapid development of these sectors, said Zeng.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2006)