China lifts Beijing fuel prices more than elsewhere

BEIJING, Mar 26 (Reuters) Retail gasoline prices in Beijing were raised by 460 yuan per tonne (.3) and diesel by 340 per tonne, much higher than price rises in the rest of China that took effect on Sunday.

Nationally, China raised the retail gasoline price by 250 yuan per tonne and diesel by 150 yuan per tonne.

The difference in Beijing was ''in order to make up the added cost for refining gasoline at the standard of Euro III,'' the National Development and Reform Commission, which sets energy policy, said in a statement on its Web site.

Beijing, where city dwellers are more affluent and consumption has been rising quickly, has also been at the centre of government drives to improve energy efficiency and curb environmental degradation.

REUTERS CH KP1013