China's petrochemical industry made 437.7 billion yuan of profits in 2006, an increase of 18.3 percent over that in 2005, Li Yongwu, chairman of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association, said Saturday.

One of the features of the year was an increased emphasis on work safety and environmental protection, Li said.

"We will strive to maintain steady development of the petrochemical industry, while doing our utmost to realize the government's energy-saving goals," he said.