BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are predicted to see more mergers and acquisitions (M&As) within three key sectors in 2018, according to the new report by an official think tank.

Most of the shake-ups will happen to central SOEs related to pioneering strategic industries, environmental protection, and common technology platforms, according the report released Saturday by the research center of China's top SOE regulator.

The restructuring aims to elevate central SOE competitiveness both at home and abroad, with steady progress expected within the sectors of equipment manufacturing, coal, electricity, communication, and the chemical industry, the report said.

Central SOEs will proactively seek M&As in new forms of business and new areas, it said.

Meanwhile, non-central SOEs within one industry or one business sector are expected to be reorganized into group companies, according to the report.

China has been actively restructuring SOEs in a bid to improve efficiency, with the number of central SOEs falling to 97 by the end of 2017, down sharply from 196 in 2003.