China is seeking to expand its remanufacturing industry over the next five years in its general plan to boost the development of the circular economy, a senior government official said Wednesday.

Xie Zhenhua, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planning body, said the ministry would work with other departments to clarify the development targets of the remanufacturing industry, and promote the sector's healthy and fast growth during China's 12th Five-Year Plan Period (2011-2015).

"The NDRC is now drafting a series of plans concerning the development of the country's circular economy, the emerging industries of strategic importance, energy savings, and environmental protection. These plans all look at remanufacturing as an important element," Xie said at an international remanufacturing forum held Wednesday in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province.

The NDRC would strengthen support for pilot enterprises in car components remanufacturing, and advance the remanufacturing of construction machinery and the renovation of large tires.

It would also take measures to promote qualified remanufactured products and boost recycling, Xie said.

He said China's vehicles in use exceeded 80 million by the end of last year, while major construction machinery topped 3 million units.

Based on this, Xie said the country's remanufacturing economy was expected to hit 40 billion yuan (about 6 billion U.S. dollars) if remanufactured products took up only a 5-percent market share.

Currently, the country's remanufacturing companies mainly focus on vehicle engines, gear box, steering gear, and electric generators, with an industrial value estimated be worth 2 billion yuan.