"China's 2006 carbon dioxide emissions surpassed those of the USA by 8.0 percent," the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP) said.

In 2005 US emissions were up 2.0 percent compared to China. The MNP said the figures were based on its own preliminary estimates derived from recent energy and cement production data.

Industrial processes and the burning of fossil fuels -- oil, gas and coal -- are the main causes of carbon-dioxide emissions. Of the industrial processes, cement production is one of the principal sources of greenhouse gas, the MNP said. In 2006 China had a 44 percent share in global cement production, it added.

According to the MNP figures, China's emissions increased by 9.0 percent in 2006 compared to its 2005 ouput. In the United States emissions rose 1.4 percent from 2005 to 2006.

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