BEIJING - CHINA said on Wednesday it had established a national energy commission headed by Premier Wen Jiabao to coordinate the energy-hungry country's policy.

 

'To strengthen strategic energy policy and coordinate overall planning, the State Council has decided to establish a National Energy Commission,' said a statement by the council, China's Cabinet.

 

The commission will be 'responsible for studying and formulating a national energy development strategy,' reviewing energy security and development issues, and coordinating international cooperation, it said.

 

Besides Mr Wen, the commission would comprise several of the country's ministers, according to the statement, which gave no further details.

 

China has embarked in recent years on an aggressive campaign to secure overseas energy supplies to satisfy sky-rocketing demand fuelled by its fast-expanding economy.