The report on energy consumption that the statistical and energy authorities issued jointly Thursday showed the economy was much greener than previously thought.

Such a greener-than-expected picture must appear too good to be true to Chinese policymakers who are racing desperately against time to meet the country's five-year energy-saving goal.

As one of the world's largest energy consumers, China has vowed to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20 percent during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010).