Beijing, Jul 4 (IANS): In a bizarre draft regulation released by a province in China, climate resources like wind and solar power belong to the state and that any exploitation of such resources will require permission from the provincial authorities.

The draft regulation for the new energy sector released by Heilongjiang province will take effect Aug 1, the Global Times reported.

The draft has led to criticism from the people, and some think it is ridiculous to say climate resources are state-owned.

"Will I have to pay the government in order to enjoy the sunshine, or can I get paid by the government if I get sunburned?" one netizen wrote on social network Weibo.

The provincial meteorological bureau said the new regulation does not concern individuals but companies.

Private companies in the new energy are concerned that the regulation may make it more difficult to start a project.

"If the government wants to further develop the sector, it should help to clear the way for companies, instead of setting up new obstacles," a wind turbine company owner said.

Heilongjiang is rich in wind power resources. The provincial government will invest over 23 billion yuan (around $3.7 billion) this year to develop the sector.

The regulation says that a company must hand over climate data to the authorities. Any violation of the rules could incur a fine of up to 50,000 yuan (around $7,900).

An official said the regulation only aims to standardize new-energy utilization and reduce irregularities in the sector.

Since many new-energy companies are joint ventures, the meteorological bureau needs to have some control over the climate data to avoid it being leaked to foreign countries.