China will kick off construction on a batch of major energy projects soon in a bid to support the economy and facilitate energy structure adjustment, said Premier Li Keqiang at a meeting of the national energy committee on April 20.<br /> <br /> China should timely start important nuclear power projects along the east coast that employ the highest international safety standards, and build new hydropower plants based on environment protection and orderly resettlement, Li said.<br /> <br /> The government would start construction on ultra-high voltage power lines to transport power from western regions to the power-hungry east coast, while accelerating the development of unconventional energy resources, including shale gas, shale oil and coal bed methane, Li said.<br /> <br /> The development of electric cars will be boosted and coal-burning power plants failing to meet emission reduction requirements will get upgraded.<br /> <br /> Earlier this month, Li said China would not take strong, short-term measures to stimulate the economy, focusing instead on ways to promote healthy growth over the medium- to long-term.<br /> <br /> Yet, mild measures have already been taken, and earlier this month the government announced tax breaks for small firms and plans to speed up some infrastructure spending including the building of rail lines.<br /> <br /> <p> After the government announced last week that growth in the first quarter was 7.4%, Li announced a relaxation in reserve requirements for rural banks to help the farm sector. </p> <p style="text-align:center;"> <img src="/upfiles/news/image/20140507/20140507162733_5540.jpg" alt="" /> </p>