Guizhou comes in from the cold

Political advisers called for central heating systems to be installed in urban Guizhou province when they gathered for the annual sessions of provincial legislators.

Two political organizations, the China National Democratic Construction Association and Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, made similar proposals, highlighting the necessity of central heating systems in Guizhou, as their provincial branches attended the meetings scheduled from Jan 25 to 31.

Chen Juli, a cosponsor of the proposal, said winter in Guizhou can last about 130 days (from December to March) and indoor temperatures may drop to 1 C.

"Winter is bone-chilling in Guizhou, because greater humidity adds to the misery," Chen said.

Chen said central heating is safer, more energy efficient and cost-effective compared with air-conditioning, which raises electricity bills up to 2,000 yuan ($322) a month, or gas heating, which has the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The proposal suggested future heating systems be driven by burning coal or gas, using existing power plants or geothermal resources in Guizhou.

Chen said residential areas, schools, hospitals and nursing homes should be among the first to be included in the system, and central heating should be integrated into urban planning.

Yang Chunxing, a senior civil affairs official in Guizhou and another cosponsor of the proposal, said the heating system will follow corporate operations, and financial support will be partly from government subsidies and partly from the private sector.

Yang said installing the heating system will improve the image of Guizhou as a livable province and push forward tourism and other related industries.