Dalian, the biggest port in northeast China, is to use seawater as a heat source, said the city's commission of construction.

Dalian is the first Chinese city to use the technology. During the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), the city will utilize seawater to heat and cool a space of over 5 million square meters, said the commission.

The technology depends on large-scale heat pumps to move heat from the seawater to the city's central heating systems. Seawater will be used in cooling systems in summer.

Heat pumps using seawater as a heat source will also be used in the 2008 Olympic venue, the seaside resort city of Qingdao, said the commission.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2005)