China on Tuesday unveiled a long-awaited reshuffle of its energy sector, setting up two new but relatively weak bodies that analysts say may struggle to improve handling of demand, security and powerful companies.
The government is keen to consolidate control of industries that are a vast magnet for investment, a key component of foreign policy and a potential touchstone for social unrest at home. The world's number two oil consumer said it will set up an Energy Commission to develop national strategy and security and an Energy Bureau to administer the sector under the powerful National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
These will replace an Energy Office and the current Energy Bureau - also under the NDRC - and several other small departments including one managing civilian nuclear energy. The new energy bodies were part of a wider administrative reform plan that also set up an Environment Ministry.