China has taken another step forward in its efforts to improve air quality in the country as it imposes strict new car fuel efficiency standards.

The state directives will come into effect from next July, according to reports from news agency Xinhua, as the country aims to ward off potential energy shortages and public health problems ahead of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Vehicles will have to meet the average Chinese car fuel efficiency from next summer, with further plans in place to cut fuel consumption by another ten per cent from 2008.

It is also reported that China is expected to issue new standards for a range of other vehicles, as its 'green' transport approach gathers momentum.

Already this year China has speeded up its clean fuel programme, limiting poisonous substances in fuel in a bid to reduce automobile exhaust emissions.

The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) says that the standards have helped curb not only exhaust emissions but also noise and other pollution caused by growing number of vehicles.

China produced more than 4 million automobiles in 2003, and has become the fourth largest market in the world for automobile production.

The total amount of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emitted from motor vehicles in China reached 8.4 million tons and 36.4 million tons respectively in 2003.