North China's coal province, Shanxi, will focus on developing clean energy, new and hi-tech industries and highlight agriculture in the next decade, in a move to reduce the output of raw coal, once the pillar industry for the whole province.

Shanxi's abundance of coal resources used to contribute to the country's economic growth. But the rapid growth of exploitation and accessory industries with low added value and low profits have led to a serious pollution problem in the area.

Also, the falling coal prices in the last few years have resulted in great economic losses for the province, with the figure for the last two years alone reaching around 5 billion yuan(600 million US dollars).

The yield of raw coal has been reduced from 330 million tons to today's 240 million tons, and the provincial government has put more effort into the development of industries with high added values, such as electricity and coal gas.

The province has already chosen information, bio-pharmaceuticals, new materials and energy industries as its main economic driving forces for the future, and has earmarked 600 million yuan for their development.

In the next few years, Shanxi will focus on expanding its local agricultural products, deep-processing industries, new and high technology, tourism and service sectors.

China's central government has concentrated more on sustainable development, aiming to increase the national economy while at the same time reducing environmental damage as much as possible.