The information was released at an international forum on China's auto industrial development held recently in Tianjin, a port city in north China.

An official from China's Ministry of Science and Technology held the view that development of energy-saving and environment-friendly vehicles is conducive to the country's energy security and environmental protection, and will also enhance the competitive edge of the country's auto industry.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, State Administration of Environment Protection, State Development and Reform Commission and other departments jointly launched the program of clean-energy vehicles in 1999.

The government has also started a major specialized project for electric vehicles, focusing on power composition and key technology in 2001 so as to promote the research and development of environment-friendly and energy-saving vehicles.

China now has more than 200,000 gas-powered vehicles and 700 gas filling stations.

According to the official, with its own intellectual property rights, China will introduce two or three hybrid bus models and four or five hybrid sedan models at the end of this year.

It is also expected that energy-saving and environment-friendly vehicles will be in scale production in China during the 2006-2010 period.