A nationwide electricity network is expected to take shape in China by 2020, an expert said  Thursday at the just-concluded Western Forum.

   Lu Dadao, a professor from the Chinese Academy of Sciences,  said that the network will cover most of China excluding the  autonomous regions of Tibet and Xinjiang, and Taiwan.

   Efficient utilization of water energy and natural gas will be  the two priorities in the development of resources in China's  western region. By 2010, three regional electricity networks in  north, central and south China will be formed, according to Lu.

   With the linking of the three regional electricity networks by  2020, a rational framework of energy and resources allocation will be established nationwide, Lu said.